Kengo Kuma designs a Camper store in Paseo de Gracia with ceramic pieces
03/01/2019.
[BCN] Spain
metalocus, LUIS ANDRES DE JUANES
metalocus, LUIS ANDRES DE JUANES
After the recent opening of the V&A Museum in Dundee, designed with a wraparound of ceramic pieces Kengo Kuma and Camper meet again at the Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona. Camper Paseo de Gracia, a store - facing the Plaza Catalonia, is highlighted by the aggregation of special ceramic tiles that are either used as shelves of a singular net new three-dimensional skin on the shop walls.
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)y ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma. Photograph by ImagenSubliminal(MigueldeGuzman+RocioRomero)
Kengo Kuma. Photograph by J.C. Carbonne
Plano de planta. Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma.
Cross section. Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma.
Section. Camper Paseo de Gracia by Kengo Kuma.
The Japanese architect Kengo Kuma returns to work with Camper. Four years after presenting his first store for Camper in Via Montenapoleone, in Milan (2014), he adds to the proposals of Alfredo Häberli, Benedetta Tagliabue, Jaime Hayón, Konstantin Grcic or the Bouroullec brothers among others. The architect has made a design based on curved ceramic pieces, the products recover all the protagonism individually and a unique bond between the ceramic culture of the Mediterranean and the Japanese is established.
"We were interested in the idea of showing each item separately, with its own space, to return attention to the products. To do this, we devised a system based on ceramic tiles similar to tiles used on roofs. Both Japan and Spain are countries with a deep-rooted tradition in this type of architectural elements, although they are manufactured in very different ways: in Japan, the tiles are varnished and acquire a glossy finish, while in the Mediterranean they are left uncoated, for that show their original texture. That difference seemed very interesting to us and the project was the ideal occasion to deepen in that aspect.
These ceramic elements, arranged as niches to expose the articles, have a very simple shape. However, the amount of pieces that the space has offers a sense of complexity. With them the walls, the shelves, the counter of the box or the sidewalk for the clients are built. There is no other ornamental presence apart from these natural ceramic elements. It is exciting to be able to use such a traditional material and find innovative ways to elaborate and shape it, combining different pieces to create architectural elements that can satisfy the needs of contemporary life".
These ceramic elements, arranged as niches to expose the articles, have a very simple shape. However, the amount of pieces that the space has offers a sense of complexity. With them the walls, the shelves, the counter of the box or the sidewalk for the clients are built. There is no other ornamental presence apart from these natural ceramic elements. It is exciting to be able to use such a traditional material and find innovative ways to elaborate and shape it, combining different pieces to create architectural elements that can satisfy the needs of contemporary life".
Kengo Kuma and Associates
More information
Architects
Kengo Kuma and Associates. Partners in charge.- Kengo Kuma, Javier Villar Ruiz
Project team
Jaime Fernandez Calvache (PM), Nicola Maniero, Ludovica Cirillo, Kimio Suzuki (renderings)
Collaborators
Lighting designer.- Viabizzuno. Ceramist.- Ceramica Cumella
Client
Camper
Area
80.00 sqm
Dates
03.11.2018
Builder
Norden GSE, SLU
Photography
KENGO KUMA
Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extend the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.
Main Awards:
· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).
