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Siblingsfactory by JDS Architects

Cacti, gravel, concrete floors and a wooden bridge feature in this Brussels fashion boutique by JDS Architects (+ slideshow).

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

Danish Belgian architect Julien De Smedt of JDS Architects created the raw industrial interior for the two-storey Siblingsfactory shop, which opened last week in Belgium's capital city. The store sells clothing and accessories for men and women, vintage furniture and a selection of homeware, plus the design team has also created a small magazine library where customers can sit down and have a cup of tea.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

Raw concrete and white painted walls surround the retail space. A fibreboard footbridge spans diagonally across the double-height store entrance, while rows of thin cacti are planted in gravel along the edge of the mezzanine.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

The ground floor features rows of clothing rails and a long wooden reception desk. Box-like shelves are hidden under a staircase and display products such as lamps and footstools.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

Two white shelves are fixed to the concrete wall behind the reception desk and used to display accessories such as bags.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

On the second floor there additional clothing rails and a selection of furniture pieces, including a bookshelf made from five stacked wooden boxes.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

The architects positioned vintage furniture pieces around the store, alongside new products designed by Julien De Smedt and lamps by French lighting designer Marine Breynaert.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

Siblingsfactory opened last week to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of clothing label Le Mont St Michel. Other brands on sale include A Peace Treaty and Studio Nicholson, and the store plans to donate a portion of its annual profits to children's charity Afghanistan Demain.

Siblings Factory by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory by JDS Architects

Last week De Smedt launched Makers With Agendas - a new design brand with products ranging from solutions to natural disasters to coat hooks and tea sets. Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs spoke to De Smedt ahead of the launch. Read the full interview »

Marie de Moussac and Aymeric Watine
Marie de Moussac and Aymeric Watine

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Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

Photographs are by Nico Neefs, courtesy JDS Architects.

Here's a project description:


SiblingsFactory concept store

A concept store of 230m2 invented by the Belgian architect Julien De Smedt, pleasant and welcoming, ideal for beauty, quality and excellence in the heart of the Dansaert district in Brussels.

Marie de Moussac and Aymeric Watine, SiblingsFactory co-founders
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

In Siblingsfactory one finds a coherent and intelligent mix of fashion, design and contemporary art. One can enjoy a sophisticated selection of fashion and accessories for men and women, exhibitions, vintage furniture and design, a cup of tea and a library with art magazines.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

To realise the project, co-founders Aymeric Watine and Marie de Moussac worked closely with the JDSA architects and its founder Julien De Smedt. The agency consists of young architects and designers who are known for projects such as the ski jump in Oslo and their collaboration with Muuto.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

About Aymeric Watine:

After his studies at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne (ECSCP), Aymeric worked for several French fashion houses.

Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects
Siblings Factory concept store by JDS Architects

About Marie de Moussac:

She studied communications at the EFAP (Ecole Française des Attachés de Presse et des Professionnels de la Communication). Marie then spent eight years working at a communication agency in Paris as a project manager. Marie is passionate about contemporary art and design and has a thorough knowledge of the art market.

In 2007, she works for an advertising agency in Kabul in Afghanistan and met Mehrangais Ehsan, founder of the association Afghanistan Demain, which aims to get children off the street and into school. A portion of the proceeds from the new Siblingsfactory concept store will be donated to the charity.