New York-based architecture firm Peter Marino Architect has renovated the Louis Vuitton’s London store with a channelled and colourful explosion, wrapping and marking the facade of the building.

Officially opened on October 23, the store, called Louis Vuitton Bond Street, the store has been reopened after a 14-month renovation. The space is revived with different colourful touches, objects and pieces that mix art and design in an harmonized way. 

The space features a sweeping double helix shaped staircase crafted in cerused oak and worked as a sculpture with an offset centre, while  the outside of the building is marked with a giant explosion of a channelled installation where Louis Vuitton‘s monogram icons takes over the stores’ frontage.

Covering a 1,625-square-metre space, the London Maison presents a new generation of interior spaces with bright fixtures, colourful pieces, flexible furnitures and vivid atmosphere. 

"The face of retail changes so fast," said Peter Marino. "It’s very much a necessity for [brands] to have these big special statements in key landmark locations."

Inside, a "changeable gallery space" welcomes its visitors, featuring 43 artworks from 25 artists including site-specific commissions from Sarah Crowner, Jim Lambie, Josh Sperling, Farhad Moshiri, and Matt Gagnon. 

Composed of several boxy volumes with double-heights and clad by sand-colored tiles, the space also includes the installation of James Turrell, Andreas Gursky, Alex Katz, Tracey Emin. Tracey Emin designed a neon-coloured sculpture at the heart of the store. 

According to Marino, "this is about more than the art itself". "It’s about replicating the experience of the gallery – the classic white-walled cube. ‘In my eyes, the ultimate luxury is space and light," he added.

He also stated that " we’re seeing this across the board in premium retail." "There has been a real evolution towards something lighter, clearer and, dare I say, happier."

The lower floor Marino designed a colourful space for men’s ready to wear and shoes and directed by Louis Vuitton men’s artistic director Virgil Abloh is overlooked by Gursky’s "Dusselstrand."

The third floor presents James Turrell’s light installation tall glass, an immersive led screen plays with light changing it from purple to yellow, orange and red, which changes the meditative mood of the store. Campana brothers also designed cocoon-like pods hanged from the ceiling. 

The architect has also curated several vintage pieces from designers including Enzo Mari and Pierre Paulin. 

The New Bond Street is the only Maison in the world, aside from the Maison Vendôme in Paris, to hold a full high jewellery collection, highlighting the House's passion for remarkable craftsmanship and artistry. 

Finally, two exclusive versions of the Dauphine bag are being launched at the opening of the New Bond Street Maison, showcasing seasonal bi-colours: burgundy and navy, and dark teal and navy. Inspired by a model from Louis Vuitton’s archives, the new Dauphine bag has been redesigned by Nicolas Ghesquière for the modern era.

All images © Stephane Muratet

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