A synergy between Architectural Design, Product Design and Product Marketing, the Roche-Bobois furniture showroom, located at 222 West Hubbard Street in Chicago’s River North Furniture District, is an loft showroom space designed in conjunction with Roche Bobois Paris. A tapered steel and concrete entry staircase draws pedestrians in from the street and up to the main level, while a large opening in the floor provides views of the showroom level below. A large floating stair in the center of the store provides access and natural light to the lower-level sales floor. Designed specifically for the display of their “Cloud” lights, a double wall of mullion-less glass surrounds the stair with the lights handing between them, turning what would normally be a simple railing into an experience of light, transparency, shadow, and reflection. Glass walls and structural glazed railings are used throughout to provide an open feel to the design. Floating ceilings at various levels relate to furniture settings, creating a sense of space and providing for the display of the Roche-Bobois line of wall fabrics.
