Quartz Co., a company specializing in Canadian-made winter jackets, enlisted Blanchette Architectes, Rainville Sangaré and A+ to develop its first retail space. The furniture was designed and built by Rainville Sangaré, while Blanchette Architectes was responsible for the space’s design. The two firms worked in conjunction with the marketing team at Quartz Co. as well as the project-management team at A+.

“We see this first space as a sort of laboratory; our goal is to open more Quartz Co. stores around the globe in the coming years,” said Francis Guindon, Director of Global Marketing and Communications at Quartz Co. “As part of this exercise, we had to take into consideration the new reality of retail, including a multi-channel brand experience, a high-end approach, a showroom-like physical atmosphere and a personalized-service strategy.” “At the architectural level, our mandate was to develop a unique universe by focusing on minimalism, timelessness and innovation,” said Patrick Blanchette, Architect and President of Blanchette Architectes.

▼店铺室内空间概览，overall of the interior © Rainville Sangaré

On one side of the space is the workshop. Visible from the street, it proudly highlights the fact that the brand’s wares are manufactured locally. On the other side is the boutique, which features an interplay of lights, mirrors, grids and screens developed by Blanchette Architectes as well as custom-made furniture by Rainville Sangaré. The mirrored walls, which are punctuated by displays of coats in alcoves, offer an alternate perception of the space, and the double reflection provides the customer with multiple views — useful when trying on clothes.