Luisa Via Roma Boutique in Florence, Italy

This three-story fashion store, has been restructured where new spaces and volumes have been created and defined by the use of raw materials such as concrete and glass. The women’s retail space is characterised by the thick glass ceiling. The racks are made from metal tubing and lacquered wood to ‘represent the principal innovation in the new Luisa Via Roma’, says Claudio Nardi. The overall look of the store is bold and somehow extraterrestrial because of the unnatural shades and colours that the glass gives to the interior. Moreover the combination of two raw materials (glass and concrete) gives the filling that the store is still unfinished that creates, in some point, the uninviting atmosphere of the interior.

“Chunky” glass

Tthree metre chandelier

A lavish example of “chunky” glass depicts picture 3 where a three meters hand-made chandelier is constructed of small pieces glass. The idea of the designers is to create a waterfall by putting together these glass pieces from the ceiling to the floor of shopping center. The most amazing part is the bottom where glass strews over a box representing a giant splash. Without any doubt the chunky pieces are used to their best advantage because of their extremely similar appearance to water drops. The internal light makes the final effect even more realistic and stunning. In comparison with the metal waterfall shown on the previous picture, it is really obvious how differently one idea can be achieved. Here the final look is more like fast stream whereas the stainless steel envisages a peaceful water flow.

Bubble-like glass

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café, in Sydney

Another completely different look of glass is shown here, in particular the chandelier in the middle of the lounge area. It is made of hand-blown glass balls, which are attached to each other by fine strip. The outcome is almost ethereal appearance of the craftsmen’s custom-made work.  The interaction between glass and light is almost inevitable in nowadays design however that is not one of the common examples. The cause is the combination of almost immaterial look of the glass balls and the soft light above it. The chandelier creates one more airy and delicate display of the solid furniture and contrasting colour scheme in the café.

Mirrors

Grey Goose bar, Brussels

The design is a play of blue mirrors, which were cut in triangles before they were mounted three – dimensionally against the wall. This creates more depth in the small space and it gives a flamboyant look of the relevant interior. It is curious to note how the blue colour moderates the intrusive presence of reflected objects and it forms a cool glowing atmosphere for this exclusive bar. Additionally, the reflection of the lightening adds an out-of-space like image to the mirror wall. This is an impressive and powerful background to display the product on. Moreover, it creates matchless image to the place.