Louis Vuitton: haute architecture

Heralding in a new era of haute architecture and luxury shopping experiences, Louis Vuitton is revamping its flagship New York store.

Drawing on the brand’s rich heritage to build excitement about the renovations, the house covered the building works with an impressive luggage facade modelled on its iconic trunks while relocating operations to a temporary store around the corner that features OMA-designed sculptures.

The facade, designed by Louis Vuitton’s in-house team, fully envelops the construction at the flagship store’s location and resembles a stack of six grey trunks of varying sizes arranged in descending order, complete with locks, rivets and handles, the largest of which weights 5,000 pounds.

“It is finished with the classic detailing synonymous with Louis Vuitton’s savoir-faire, including handles, signature locks, and silver hardware rendered in chrome-plated, laser-cut steel,” says Louis Vuitton. “3D scans of real Louis Vuitton hard-sided trunks were used to create the locks and latches, and the steel corners have been hand-welded. The stack features 840 rivets, each etched with the moniker.”

No less impressive, the temporary store includes men’s and women’s wear, a chocolate shop and the debut of the brand’s first cafe in the US. The space also showcases four towering 16-metre-tall sculptures, also modelled after iconic trunks and designed by OMA partner Shohei Shigematsu in the lobby atrium.

“The trunks are built at the ateliers to actual product specifications and stacked to erect shifting, counterbalancing, twisting and zigzagging forms showcasing strength and lightness,” says Louis Vuitton.

“Each is further distinguished by using different Louis Vuitton materials – historic stripes, classic Monogram canvas, white Damier, and a metallic Monogram – which have redefined the timeless piece from the past to today.”

“Between the store’s engaging spaces and the whimsical world within the cafe, Louis Vuitton 57th Street NYC is a temporary store that aspires to leave a lasting impression for New Yorkers and travellers alike.