Kitson
Los Angeles
Space International

Dizzying Mix of Merchandise Is Ordered by Display

© Joshua White

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

This 2,500-square-foot boutique is located in a fashionable shopping district on Robertson Boulevard in Beverly Hills. It is a store designed to display an everchanging and mutlifaceted line of merchandize--products ranging from accessories, to housewares, jewelry, cosmetics, and clothing. This wildly diverse product mix translates into universal retail appeal. Developing a smart and efficient display system that could be flexible to accommodate diversity yet provide a cohesive interior environment was one of the critical challenges of the project. A series of modular wood and glass shelves, stained with graphite pigment, encompass the perimeter of the store at random intervals and adapt to the changing needs of the client. Freestanding tables plus wall-adjoined cases--all intricately fitted with trays and drawers for storage--complete the program. A sky-lit well exposes the existing structure and highlights two "banquet" displays occupying the center of the space. The sky is visible through four skylights that cap the newly exposed beams of the building's roof structure. Materials include wood, aluminum, glass and a subtle palette of greens, periwinkle and yellow to accentuate and lighten up the articulated plans and bold forms.

Formal name of building:
Kitson

Location:
Los Angeles

Gross square footage:
2,500 sq ft

Total construction cost:
$125,000

Owner:
Joe Freeburn, Frazier Ross

Architect's firm:
Space International
5727 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
ph. 310.954.9084
fax 310.954.9085