Distinguished Dutch architecture firm MVSA Architects turned to HI-MACS® to realize one of their latest creations, the new flagship store for Shoebaloo, the prestigious Dutch luxury shoe and accessories company. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, at number 5 on the central Koningsplein square, the store was opened on 27 November 2014.
This wasn’t the first time MVSA Architects had worked with Shoebaloo. Hartog Streim, founder of this renowned brand, had already chosen the firm on other occasions to design the majority of its boutiques, such as the ones in Rotterdam and Utrecht. Shoebaloo’s stores are distinguished by exceptional interior design with an elegance that reflects the brands on display.
“Seeking innovation both in the design as well as the plan and its execution” is the premise that the architect Robert Meyer and project leader Harry van den Berg have reflected in creating the project, as those responsible for the futuristic design of this distinctive Shoebaloo store. The use of cutting-edge HI-MACS® acrylic stone clearly represents an innovative vision and commitment to using advanced materials that match the business’ luxury aesthetic.
Functionality and user comfort are the responsibility of the architect. In that sense, both the design and the choice of materials have to be in harmony with the possibilities of the project, as well as the aim of highlighting the product on display. For MVSA Architects, creating a quality public space is a fundamental aspect, and sustainability means much more than a quick routine when it comes to working.
The high durability and resistance of HI-MACS® also fit in perfectly with the Dutch studio’s philosophy of creating spaces that are able to respond to the changing demands of users and, above all, that stand the test of time. The acrylic stone was also ideal for creating the trademark waves in the store’s interior, thanks to its extraordinary thermoformability, seamless joints, and smooth feel. Moreover, HI-MACS® was chosen for the many properties that make it ideal for this setting: its surface is non-porous and impermeable, easy to join, clean, and maintain – all qualities that give it an additional added value.
The historical center of Amsterdam is characterized by an interwoven structure of individual plots, which is why this Shoebaloo store has an open storefront on the first floor of the facade, flanked by two narrow Belgian bluestone piers that reinforce the individuality of the building. Unlike the majority of the other Shoebaloo stores, with a closed, mysterious display window that reveals little of what lies behind, the concept of this new store is a world that seems open and transparent to the outside. The glass front has an elliptical bright white display window where the models are displayed, which gradually transforms into two openings that, from the street, look into the store.
