Dezeen Magazine

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

Snarkitecture creates bright shoe display in Kith's Los Angeles store

A glowing chamber for displaying "elite footwear" sits at the centre of streetwear brand Kith's West Hollywood store, designed with long-time collaborators Snarkitecture.

Snarkitecture has co-designed all seven stores for the brand so far, including locations in Brooklyn and Miami.

The 3,500-square-foot space in LA, located in a retail complex at 8500 West Sunset Boulevard, can be reached by various entrances. From the parking garage on the lower level, the doorway appears to be carved from the concrete walls.

"The entranceway from the parking level features a carved-out design to give the effect that the shop is breaking through the garage," said a statement from the brand.

Plants grow in the gap between the surfaces, and Kith's neon logo is displayed beside the glass doors. On the other side, nine parking bays have been taken over with murals by a roster of artists.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

Once inside, visitors pass a bar serving cereal and a large planter, and walk underneath approximately 200 casts of Air Jordan trainers hung from the ceiling.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

Up a flight of stairs, they reach the main shopping area. This can also be accessed via an outdoor courtyard elevator or a staircase inside the entrance of a Fred Segal store.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

The space is organised around a large display feature that glows in the centre of the dark store. This room within a room – containing Kith's "elite footwear" selection – has walls made from glass fins, a pale herringbone-patterned floor and a large lightbox covering its ceiling.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

"This footwear area utilises a ceiling made entirely of diffusion lighting to create a completely different feel from the surrounding shopping area," said the brand.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

Around the outside of this volume, brass display tables surround the base and a planter wraps the top. The same metal is used to form display rails around the sides of the store, where clothes are hung in front of concrete walls.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

Floor-to-ceiling mirrors also feature, along with two large cabinets lined in red for displaying sculptures and rare designs.

Kith LA by Snarkitecture

Snarkitecture was founded by Daniel Arsham and Alex Mustonen as a studio that mixes art and architecture and works at a variety of scales. Their other recent retail projects have included a Milan pop-up store for accessories brand Valextra, and several collaborations with fashion brand COS.

Photography is by Michael Wells unless stated otherwise.

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Kith LA by Snarkitecture
Kith LA by Snarkitecture
Kith LA by Snarkitecture
Kith LA by Snarkitecture
Kith LA by Snarkitecture