Candido1859 is one of the first high fashion department stores to open in Southern Italy, a building dating from the 18th century. The floor, the last of three, is the destination for the men’s department and consists of a main commercial area, three additional retail spaces, a “private” sales room and a storage area. The challenge was to give a contemporary overhaul to this structurally marginalized space characterized by a very low ceiling and a central patio covering the lower main entrance hall. 

The patio was elevated to create the ‘’private’’ sales room and its central round table with a reflective glass top works as a skylight for the lower spaces. The modular mirrored ceiling creates a sense of continuous height and the glass reflection increases the space simultaneously fading the limits of shelves, hangers and exhibited elements. Customized designed elements such as hangers and mirrors can be easily added or removed and stored as needed.

 

Team: R. Brazao, R. Cavaciocchi, S. Ribeiro

Photographer: Francesco Prato