Location：Sydney NSW, Australia; | ;

Project Year：2020

Category：Shops

A bespoke jewellery brand that celebrates horology; the art of making clocks and watches.  Finishes such as rich timber, burnished metal and heavy texture create a sumptuous result. The  traditional jewellery store aesthetic is challenged with the use of mood lighting, shadow play, intimacy and warmth.

What began as a humble stall at The Rocks markets has now grown to a successful, 3rd generation family business. Vintage watches are sourced from all over the world and repurposed into unique jewellery pieces such as rings, pendant necklaces and cufflinks. The product became a springboard for the initial finishes palette and conceptual beginnings of the project. Specified throughout is black Paperock board which is made from layers of compressed paper. Aged brass also carries the brand ethos into the built space as AHW Studio are steadfast in celebrating the beauty of imperfections. The materiality of the store directly reflects the tactility of the product.

The 15sqm space is located on the ground floor of Sydney’s iconic Strand Arcade building. With a small footprint, ample display and storage is paramount to service the needs of the brand. Eye level displays are clean and simple, where key pieces are showcased thoughtfully. The lighting is focused to draw attention and highlight the product which is no larger than the palm of your hand; the customer is not overwhelmed by choice. Additional stock is placed in the drawers below in lieu of a dedicated store room. The traditional retail approach of bright lights and locked glass cabinets is challenged. In contrast, the customer is welcomed to explore closely and browse at their leisure.

The heritage timber shopfront and associated display is a key element of the design. Aged brass posts span from floor to ceiling and carry floating shelves. The aim was to introduce a refined, unobtrusive structure that would not compete with the heritage timberwork and stained glass windows. We can pique the interest of passers-by as well as those who have stopped to peruse.

The interior feels lived in and warm with finishes that will only get better with age. Albeit dark and moody, the space feels welcoming. The product is showcased on a micro level, but also the bigger picture aesthetic truly captures the ethos of AHW Studio.

CLIENT: AHW Studio

BUILDER: Borg Projects 

RECOGNITION: This project was nominated in the 2021 Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA) and the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) for Retail and Best Use of Colour.

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