david chipperfield adds clock face to his valentino flagship store in new york
photography by santi caleca, unless otherwise stated
all images courtesy of david chipperfield architects

 

 

 

in new york, a clock designed by david chipperfield and john morgan has been installed onto the façade of valentino’s flagship store, also designed by the british architect. manufactured by GB milano, the ‘turret clock’ features a large face with more than one dial, allowing the time to be read from different directions. conceived as an extension the store’s elevation, it is not only a clock for indicating and measuring time, but also a device that identifies the building as a public venue. a brass mechanical-electronic instrument indicates hours and minutes with moving hands on a round dial, which incorporates just one roman numeral, recognizable as the valentino ‘V’.

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
the ‘turret clock’ has been designed alongside john morgan studio
image © eugenio matteazzi

 

 

 

situated on fifth avenue in the former takashimaya department store, (designed by john burgee and philip johnson), the design continues the new store concept developed for valentino by david chipperfield architects in 2012.

 

however, the project also integrates new developments, with the building incorporating a slim, transparent eight-storey façade composed of black steel and aluminum. at the lower part of the elevation, the vertical bars have a brass finish, while the five upper floors remain black. also integrated into the façade system is a lantern and the distinctive valentino sign, both displayed in brass.

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
the entrance space includes a series of single shelves

 

 

 

at the entrance, a double-height space houses a monolithic staircase made of palladiana stone. this feature connects all of the store’s levels, taking customers on an ascending tour and allowing them to observe and experience the entrance space that includes a series of single shelves.

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
a double-height space houses a monolithic staircase made of palladiana stone

 

 

 

at ground floor level, a completely new accessories concept is adopted, with terrazzo perimeter walls on which brass and oak shelves are attached for product display. a new range of timber display furniture sits in conjunction with long marble volumes that act both as plinths and furniture. the level above follows an enfilade of rooms, each with different architectural characteristics that separate the different types of merchandise. the sequential spaces offer a distinct atmosphere generated by a custom palette of colors, textures, and lights.

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
the staircase connects all of the store’s levels, taking customers on an ascending tour

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
an enfilade of rooms each boast different architectural characteristics

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
the venue’s uppermost level

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
a free standing marble column within the design

david chipperfield valentino new york flagship store turret clock designboom
the building incorporates a transparent 8 storey façade composed of black steel and aluminum

 

 

project info:

 

area: 1,143 sqm / 12,303 sqf
client: valentino USA
architect: david chipperfield architects, milan
director: giuseppe zampieri
associate: giuseppe sirica
local architect: tricarico
structural engineer: eipel engineering group, scl ingegneria strutturale
services engineer: rosini engineering
façade engineer: seele
lighting: mario nanni
general contractor: michilli construction and consulting

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