In Barcelona, Neutrale's latest store designed by estudio DIIR represents a continuation of the brand's ongoing exploration of spatial identity, merging the Mediterranean aesthetic with a thoughtful examination of retail environments.
This space, like its predecessors, is not just a venue for commerce but a site where design principles are meticulously tested and applied. Here, the brand identity and customer experience are not afterthoughts but are woven into the very fabric of the store’s architecture.
One of the store's most striking features is how it utilizes the original qualities of the premises, stripping away unnecessary barriers to create a more fluid and immersive environment. The design introduces two primary sculptural elements that anchor the space. The first, a curved wall, reshapes the geometry of the room, guiding visitors through a radial path that subtly choreographs the shopping experience. This wall isn’t just a backdrop; it sets the stage for a unique interaction between the customer and the product.
Complementing this is a three-step grandstand, positioned as both a welcoming feature and a functional display unit. It invites customers to engage with the products, while also doubling as a counter. The interplay of these elements creates a seamless connection between the street and the store interior, encouraging a sense of openness and accessibility from the moment one steps inside.
The store’s material palette is deliberately restrained, focusing on a triad of materials that each carry a specific resonance. Fetdeterra, a compacted earth block material, is used for the walls and bench, offering an earthy tone that evokes the landscape of the Balearic Islands. This material choice is not only environmentally conscious, reflecting the brand's commitment to sustainability, but also provides a textured contrast to the sleekness of the steel racks and shelves. These steel elements add a tectonic quality to the space, their refined lines juxtaposing with the heft of the earth blocks.
Fabrics, employed as curtains, introduce a final layer of texture and movement. Their fluidity softens the store's overall aesthetic, engaging in a visual dialogue with the more solid, monumental features. The result is a carefully balanced space where each material and form is chosen not just for its functional role, but for the way it contributes to the overall narrative of the space. Here, retail becomes more than just a transaction; it becomes an experience shaped by the thoughtful intersection of design, materiality, and spatial dynamics.
