Stone Island Chicago commercial project, Illinois shop interior architecture, 48 East Oak St, US retail development photos

Stone Island in Chicago, IL

Oct 25, 2022

Architects: OMA / AMO

Location: 48 East Oak Street, 60611 Chicago, Illinois, USA

Photos by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy OMA AMO and Stone Island

Stone Island Chicago, Illinois

Long before social media, Stone Island built a loyal community of followers, drawn by the brand’s devotion to research and technology. The new stores – in Chicago, Seoul, Munich, Stockholm – complement Stone Island’s current online presence. Here, the physical and virtual journeys come together.

The new stores are the base for Stone Island’s community. Altar-like spaces and objects resonate with the rituals of the followers and appeal to new customers. Niches for archive pieces and prototypes – results of years of experimentation in Stone Island’s lab in Ravarino – and dedicated rooms for collaboration and processes highlight the brand’s dedication to innovation. The stores serve the community beyond opening hours; public presentations, salons, workshops and private events take place here.

The design of the new stores reflects Stone Island’s approach to product design and experimentation on materiality. Off-the-shelf materials go through unique treatments to acquire different appearances and properties. Recycled paper and resins are compressed under high pressure to become Stone Island’s own defined ‘concrete’. Cork – the central material to the Stone Island stores – is burnt, sandblasted and coated, turning dark and textured, while remaining sound absorbent and humidity controlling. Corrugated steel panels, sand-coated, acquire a soft surface. A chandelier-like digital display, suspended from the ceiling, broadcasts Stone Island’s culture, music, and storytelling to its community.

OMA / AMO partners with Stone Island to conceptualize a new identity for the Italian brand’s stores. Stone Island’s research and experimentation on design and product manipulation defines the new stores, which are also spaces to share its wealth of experiences with its communities.

The new store concept by OMA / AMO features altar-like spaces highlighting Stone Island’s devotion to technology and development, shared by its followers. Niches for archival pieces and prototypes – results of years of experimentation in Stone Island’s lab in their Ravarino headquarters – showcase past thinking and future ambitions about product design.

Beyond shop opening hours, the space will host public presentations, salons, workshops, and private events. The stores form a base for current and new customers, complementing the brand’s online presence.

Stone Island’s approach in transforming materials from typical into unique inspires and informs the new stores’ architecture by OMA / AMO.

The stone-like palette of the spaces is formed with specially treated off-the-shelf materials – without actual concrete or stone. Shredded paper and resins are compressed under high pressure to become durable “concrete panels”. Cork – the central material to the Stone Island stores – is burnt,
sandblasted and coated, turning dark and textured, while maintaining its sound-absorbing, humidity controlling features. Corrugated steel panels, sand-coated, acquire a soft surface. A large digital chandelier, suspended from the ceiling, broadcasts Stone Island’s culture to its community.

The new concept debuted within a new, 180-square meter retail space for Stone Island in Chicago – the brand’s first in the city – which opened on Thursday, October 20, 2022, ahead of the future opening of locations in Seoul, Munich and Stockholm.

Stone Island Creative Director and President Carlo Rivetti: “Stone Island and AMO share values of innovation, functionality, and passion. I am very happy to begin this important partnership, a new visual approach for our stores, to speak to our communities.”

AMO Director Samir Bantal: “Research and innovation are at the core of Stone Island. The space, materiality, and program of the stores underpin the brand’s ethos, and reinforce a sense of belonging of its community of like-minded people.” The project is designed by Samir Bantal, with Natalie Konopelski, Giulio Margheri and Mateusz Kiercz

Design: OMA – https://oma.com/

Photography: Marco Cappelletti, courtesy OMA AMO and Stone Island

Stone Island Chicago, Illinois building images / information received 251022 from OMA

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

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