Stepping into heritage with a forest of Chintz flagship store
SJK architects’ design for the Forest of the Chintz flagship store in Mumbai is a striking blend of boldness and subtlety, paying homage to India’s magnificent step-wells.
Forest of Chintz, an Indian luxury label known for its statement accessories and haute couture, draws inspiration from India’s rich handcrafting traditions. Their contemporary pieces feature bright colours, delicate embroidery, and sequin embellishments. Occupying 800 square feet within the historic Laxmi wooden Mills building in southern Mumbai, the flagship showroom becomes a celebration of India’s cultural heritage. The restrained material and colour palette create a cavernous retail experience, serving as an ideal backdrop for the label’s vibrant collections and fostering an intimate connection with visitors.
Upon entering the store, visitors are greeted by an open-plan space adorned with a continuous monolithic stepped display system running along the walls. Reminiscent of traditional step-wells, the playful design invites visitors to Explore the entire product range at a glance. The stepped edges allow for easy movement, encouraging visitors to engage intimately with the collections, touching and experiencing them at their own pace.
Three massive arched windows on the east wall fill the space with abundant daylight, enhancing the ambience of the old building envelope. The stepped display system, constructed with lightweight autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, seamlessly merges into the walls and floors, creating a uniform and smooth finish. The desired raw and natural appearance is achieved through a composition of grey pop (a mixture of grey cement, white cement, pop, and adhesive), providing a tactile yet refined texture.
The heights and widths of the stepped platforms are carefully designed to accommodate forest of chintz’s product collection, considering the size and volume of each item. On-site mockups help determine the ergonomic placement of each piece, ensuring easy access and optimal visibility. Sleek brass fixtures on the north and west walls elegantly showcase the avant-garde apparel collection, creating a minimalist and modern display.
At the centre of the store, hanging pendant lights finished in brass captivate visitors, forming a symbolic “forest of lights” inspired by the brand’s name. Below the pendant lights, a long rectilinear island with a distressed mirror finish reflects the surrounding grey walls and the pendant lights above. This island cleverly incorporates concealed storage space for additional inventory, enhancing functionality while maintaining aesthetics.
The pendant lights and the island serve as a captivating centrepiece, unifying the entire space and completing the immersive experience of the Forest of the Chintz flagship store.
For more details visit: https://www.sjkarchitects.com/
