French luxury brand Dior commissioned French-based architecture firm Barbarito Bancel Architectes to design a new boutique of Dior in the Miami Design District, Florida, which hosts many luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Burberry, Bvlgari, Giorgio Armani and Versace. Barbarito Bancel Architectes designed a new silhouette, accentuating the female figure with long flowing skirts, fitted waists and softly rounded shoulders and hips. A special façade by Barbarito Bancel Architectes, has been constructed with decorative concrete panels to complement Miami’s evolving art and design scene.

A Dior star has been fixed to the top of the building as a symbol of good luck from Monsieur Dior. Dior Miami will debut as the first boutique with the star installation in the U.S. Barbarito Bancel Architectes created protruding white concrete panels on the facade that gives dynamic effect to the building with lights and small openings. The building resembles dressed a skirt or special skin, which its smooth and delicate facade is made from ultra high-density concrete and a marble powder. 

The architecture firm were also influenced by Miami's sun and beaches, along with an idea of dynamism, youth, and contemporary design. At night, the building is elevated with lighting appearing from the ‘cuts’ of the facade. The interior of three-storeyed shop consists of greyscale palette of highlighted with colorful woman's apparel and accessories. A wooden terrace at the top of the store is placed with white patio decor and verdant plantings. 

''Through large curve movements of white concrete, clear figures of the ‘plisée’ take shape, between which the spaces of the boutique slide in'' said Barbarito Bancel Architectes. ''The project also takes into consideration its commercial nature as the building aims to move away from an institution or museum form thanks to its generous shop windows that open to the immediate public space'' added Benjamin Bancel and Ivana Barbarito, lead designers of Barbarito Bancel Architectes.

The Miami Design District is a neighborhood dedicated to innovative fashion, design, architecture and dining experiences. The Miami Design District is owned by Miami Design District Associates, a partnership between Dacra, founded and owned by visionary entrepreneur Craig Robins, and L Real Estate, a global real estate development and investment fund, specializing in creating luxury shopping destinations.   

Together Dacra and L Real Estate have actively transformed the once-overlooked area of Miami into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors by presenting the best shopping, cultural and culinary experiences within an architecturally significant context. The vision for a rejuvenated Design District — responsive to its historic, urban and tropical context – was codified in an urban master plan developed by the award-winning master planners Duany Plater-Zyberk, with the additional participation of architects including Walter Chatham, Hariri and Hariri, Juan Lezcano, Terence Riley, and Alison Spear. The Miami Design District embodies a singular dedication to the unity of design, fashion, art and architecture, and a commitment to encourage a neighborhood comprised of creative experiences.

image courtesy of Barbarito Bancel Architectes

image courtesy of Barbarito Bancel Architectes

All images © Alessandra Chemollo

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