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Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

French studio FREAKS freearchitects have inserted a rectangular timber tunnel inside this Paris cosmetics shop.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The shop, called Heliocosm, also features bright turquoise walls and a table where customers can mix their own natural cosmetics.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

An opening cut away from the wooden box provides the location for a salvaged second-hand table, while integrated shelves display products.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The tunnel leads from this workshop area to a lounge, where a wall-mounted photograph creates the illusion of a window facing snow-covered mountains.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

Another shop with a tunnel inside it was completed in London earlier this year - see our earlier story featuring an octagonal orange tunnel here.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

Photography is by David Foessel.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

Here's some text from the architects:


Heliocosm – A Natural Cosmetics Shop in Paris

FREAKS freearchitects have been commissioned for the interior design of the shop for a new natural comestics brand Heliocosm located in Herold street, Paris 1st ward.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The program of the shop consists mostly in a big workshop table onto which the customers are invited to make up their own cosmetics based on natural products lead by professional tutors.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

As the total dedicated budget of 100K€ was pretty low compared to the total 100sqm area to be refurbished, the project focuses onto one single space characteristic: the impressive length of nearly 20 meters, pretty rare as a shop setting within the typical parisian context.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The major efforts were made on the renewal of the first and the last rooms, linked with a wood-covered tunnel-alike space hosting all the display shelves and cupboards.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

That space works as a theatre decorum into which doors and hole are managed to organize all the technical storage, access, restroom and extra display.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The chosen color is a light greenish blue, a so called “cool mint” color, applied all over floors, walls and ceilings, wrapping the visitors within a both refreshing and disturbing feeling.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The ending perspective of the shop is reinforced with a large scale print on plastic sheet representing mountains with a greenish lake dislocating the shop towards another parallel reality.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

That ending room is a lounge space, used both as a waiting room and a coffee/tea room.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects

The furnitures have all been found in second hand shops and markets, to not to engage too much the visitors into an “over design” experience while offering them a comfy and homy atmosphere.

Heliocosm by FREAKS freearchitects