Haptic Architects new showroom for Vivense London designed to welcome the curious inside

Heralding Vivense London’s arrival in the UK, the furniture and homeware retailer recently opened its flagship store in Borough High Street, designed by Haptic Architects. Combining graphic design and architecture, Vivense and Haptic collaborated with the London-based studio BOB Design to conceive the branding, including the Home & Living 2020-21 catalogue, that reflects the brand history, the space layout and customer stories.

The company’s first UK store is conceived as a calm, neutral setting against which the furniture, interior items and accessories and lighting can be displayed. The 1615 square feet space is wrapped in vertical timber slats which give warmth and subtle depth to the walls and bring the exposed ceiling down to a more intimate datum. The slats curve down to frame the store window, reflecting the fluid lines of the visual identity conceived for the store and the brand.

The Vivense London product collection is displayed free from the slatted walls so that customers can better imagine them in their own home. To structure the space further, Haptic devised three monolithic black stands with a sawtooth footprint that act as focal points for discussion or exchange.

The design studio also considered how objects would be presented and lit inside the space on bright days. The swooping curve of the timber slats at the window lets in plenty of natural light, and the practice also collaborated with lighting specialists Atrium to install a large, circular ceiling light. Made from LED fittings set in a minimalist aluminium channel, the strong geometric shape once again ties into Vivense’s brand identity, but also catches the eye of those passing by.

The walls of the store are lined in beech, which was chosen for the curvy slatted envelope because of its sustainable qualities but also its neutral character. The wood is light in colour yet warm in feel, and has few knots, which would add unwelcome visual noise. Working with talented craftsmen to fit the joinery, the slats are installed so that no fixings are visible, giving a deceptively simple finish. The curved areas segment the retail space into a series of flexible room sets in which to showcase a changeable collection of furniture and accessories. The store’s timber and black monolithic elements are set off by terrazzo flooring, creating the impression of a richly aggregated texture.

Vivense’s flagship store is part of an emerging cluster of furniture and design retailers in Southwark, an area with a strong tradition of making and manufacturing. It occupies two units on the ground floor of a new residential block offering the opportunity to design a distinctive space from a purpose-built unit.

Founder of Vivense Kemal Erol commented,

“We are very proud to have worked with Haptic Architects for the design of our first UK store. With the launch of our London flagship store and the two upcoming stores in 2021, we are confident we will become a beacon for customers whilst showcasing the Vivense London collection. Our aim is to position the store as a creative hub for encounters and gathering experiences with our team of interior experts.”

Timo Haedrich, co-founder of Haptic Architects, added,

“The Vivense London store typifies Haptic’s approach to the making of highly crafted interior spaces, and its interest in collaboration – not just with the client, craftspeople and specialist suppliers, but here also with BOB Design, who have created Vivense’s visual identity. It also represents a practice DNA that is ingrained with the Scandinavian approach to design, favouring a simple palette, beautifully executed.”

Offering quality contemporary interiors products at an affordable price, Vivense London’s curated collection can be shopped at vivenselondon.com and also in the store. In the store, the Vivense London interior designer team will also be on hand to offer bespoke assistance and help customers plan their space with consideration and style.