April 15, 2019

Gensler Fashions a New Brooklyn Showroom for Lafayette 148

Brooklyn’s Navy Yard is among the most fashionable new areas in the borough, but until Lafayette 148 decided to leave its seven-floor SoHo digs and venture across the water, there wasn’t a fashion brand that called the historic concrete warehouse home.

“The company was expanding,” says co-founder and CEO Deirdre Quinn, “and we needed room to grow. We found this vast, open, clean space that was so inspiring, with four decks. Every person’s desk gets a view.”

Read more: Pretty in Pink: Gachot Studios Revamps Glossier’s NYC Flagship Showroom 

The team collaborated with Vitra on a custom sliding display system for the clothing. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.

Gensler made sure the 68,000-square-foot headquarters, comprised of 15 different departments and large community work cafes, was as rousing as the exterior landscapes. “We played off the purity of the concrete warehouse with white walls and big windows,” says Gensler’s Design Director and Principal Brian Berry, introducing natural cork and custom woodwork, and a custom system from Vitra that lets the apparel float in the air.

The central corridor extends past the elevator lobby and guest conference room to a green wall by Plants à la Carte. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.

The new style has influenced the look of Lafayette’s lines. “We used to be much more black and white,” Quinn says. “But now we’re softer, with more gray and light beiges. And the green walls at the end of the corridors just make you happy. We took the move as the next journey of the company.”

Read more: Bang & Olufsen’s The Music Box Interactive Pop-Up Showroom Opens in SoHo 

Keep scrolling to see more images of the project >

An area rug from ABC Carpet & Home, and personal art collections, personalize a private office. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.
In the showroom, polished concrete floors lead to stepped seating/storage of bleached walnut. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.
Artemide pendants join a custom walnut console topped with Corian in the showroom. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.
Walnut booths fill the pantry, between CB2 tables illuminated by Muuto pendants. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.
A custom desk of white Corian and Mafi engineered wood—which also covers the floors— announces the reception, with custom pendants by Bloom Lighting. Photography by Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler.

Read more: Here’s What the New 1stDibs Gallery in New York City Means for Designers 

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