SoftRigid

LOOM
Architecture, like clothing, can achieve integrity and presence through the weaving of fragmented elements. Like a loom, our project is a system of production and a manifold of fabrication that is simultaneously the end product itself; an end product identified by exception, beauty and fluidity. Emulating designer’s usage of materials in innovative and unexpected ways, our project celebrates and supports designer’s work while standing alone as a beautiful architectural space that bridges the gap between architecture’s rigidity and fashion’s flexibility.
Materially, our design weaves fiber optic light through an array of prismatic translucent surfaces, attempting to blur the material role of softness and hardness in space. Continuity and sharpness is paramount as is a romantic and lyrical backdrop for the display of designer’s clothing. The store is designed to have an elegant, comfortable atmosphere achieved through the use of high technologies such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, full-color LEDs, fiber optics, and high-quality recycled materials.
At the first glance, visitors encounter swinging colors in a visually fluctuating ceiling. At night, the space is alive with fluid color and during the day the space gleams with white, diffuse opacity. They can see a soft field condition as well as a definitive formal impact in any light. Zooming in, they can experience space through watching it, touching it and moving it. The reversed landscape on the ceiling can produce various display options, without any partition walls such as suspended or mounted display. Fifty-nine (59) triangulated panels generate changeable density and variable height in the space. Through these panels, side-emitting fiber optics are woven with freely hanging movement, the driving colors generated by an LED matrix which is hidden above panels. Not only will this space provide visitors a showroom for fashion products but also facilitate interaction to with them through the lyrical architecture.

Rehearsal spaces are live and dynamic places, requiring flexibility and structure for the accommodation of activity and the attenuation of musical production.  They must simultaneously contain and control the invisible, fluid power of sound, while allowing the creativity of musicians to flow freely through space.  Slide is about providing flexibility of space, program, and use through a dynamic and attractive architectural body.  This body effectively divides the warehouse space yet allows for a multitude of spatial configurations and geometric qualities to facilitate varied musical production scenarios.  Rather than force a strict spatial configuration, Slide gives musicians the chance to create in flexibility, comfort, and style.  Slide is both clear and crisp; smooth and quick. Slide is hard, Slide is soft.  Slide is program that moves and works for everyone. Slide is Soundroom.