foster + partners: porcelanosa store, new york

‘porcelanosa store’ by foster + partners, new york, united statesimage © foster + partners

the renowned bathroom and kitchen solutions designer store porcelanosa has just unveiled their plans for their new flagship store in new york, located in the historic sixe-storey commodore criterion building in midtown manhattan. commissioned to acclaimed firm foster + partners, the design preserves the original exterior facade and completely renovates the interior used to display the countless products on full-scalehung vignettes that will stretch from floor to ceiling. an entire level will be dedicated to a workshop and design library with over 1000 referencesfor tiles, mosaics, stones, hardwoods and other materials commonly used in these types of applications. projected to open to the public in the springof 2014, the new store will prove to be an ideal place for designers and clients alike to find the right design and materials for their specific projects.

exterior street appearanceimage © porcelanosa

lord foster explains:

‘porcelanosa’s new manhattan flagship is in a great location, close to the intersection of fifth avenue and broadway and opposite the flatiron building. but like many neoclassical new york city structures, the former commodore criterion which dates back to 1918 has a repetitive stack of six identicalfloors – not an ideal arrangement for spaces to showcase contemporary products. the main design challenge has been to work within the protected shell to transform the interior. the design will create new visual connections vertically through the building and will introduce a greater variety of spaces, with a series of dramatic interlocking levels.

this transformation is also an opportunity to radically improve the building’s energy performance and we are targeting a LEED gold rating. a highly insulated envelope will halve carbon emissions, new systems will provide free cooling and a 40 per cent reduction in water use, whilst half of all construction waste will be recycled.

in summary, the design will restore historic aspects of the exterior and create a new interior experience of large–volume show room spaces ­– all within the context of a sustainable agenda.’

concept sketchimage © foster + partners