andrea mosca’s métaphores fabric store for Hermès group in paris resembles art gallery interior

italian architect andrea mosca has teamed up with métaphores company – which belongs to Hermès’ textile division – to create a luxury fabric shop interior in place de furstemberg, paris. the design generates a space akin to an art gallery, inspired by the atmosphere of the neighborhood. the new set-up allowed métaphores to present the fabrics in a very creative way, giving the customers a unique experience.

all images by alessandro silvestri

specializing in premium materials, for furniture and interior design, métaphores relied on andrea mosca to create a retail interior, that highlights the product quality and value, while generating an impactful in-store experience for the customer. the architect helped unravel the full potential of the store with some clever solutions, which are deeply rooted in the shop’s environment, starting from its iconic location. as a result, the colorful and artful surroundings inspired mosca to approach the shop’s design in an unconventional way.

as opposed to solely relying on containers or fabric rolls for the customers to peruse, the new design embraces a format inspired by the art gallery experience. with this new concept, the items for sale (i.e. the fabric) are no longer just means to an end, but premium objects of beauty, exhibited under the spotlight. the idea adds more to the brand’s profile, while bringing out the premium nature of métaphores’ high-end fabric offerings.

following a similar approach to many art galleries, that use minimal design and negative space as a way to emphasize their exhibits, andrea mosca opted to repaint the walls floor and ceiling in white, while still allowing the history of the interior to stand out underneath the coat of paint. in addition to allowing the fabrics and other accessories to stand out, the white theme also makes for a brighter environment, giving visitors a sense of space and lightness. the store interior feels bigger and tidier, but also more intimate and inviting, bringing the best of both worlds together in one room.

shelves, tables, and other structures have been created using traditional woodwork techniques, as a way to give the audience an artisanal feel. custom-made cylinders, created by the company’s art director, are now displayed over polished brass shelves, giving the fabrics a completely different dimension. this project is an example of contemporary meeting old-fashioned, with different aesthetic solutions colliding beautifully, in order to create an innovative, yet warmly familiar space offering a rewarding experience to visitors on the hunt for great fabrics.

project info:

name: métaphores store
architect: andrea mosca
location: place de furstemberg, paris, france

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.