Dezeen Magazine

Kith Paris courtyard with green wall

Snarkitecture adds Nike Air Max chandelier to Kith streetwear store in Parisian mansion

A chandelier of Nike sneakers now hangs inside 19th-century mansion Pershing Hall, where design studio Snarkitecture has created a new flagship for American streetwear brand Kith.

New York-based Snarkitecture has designed more than 10 different stores for Kith, but this is the largest so far, and the brand's first standalone store in Europe.

Pershing Hall
Kith has taken three floors of Pershing Hall, a Paris mansion built in the 19th century

The fit out was designed to be true to the urban New York style that Kith is known for, but to also respect the building's unique history.

Originally built in the late 1800s as a private residence, it was bought by the American Legion in 1928 to serve as headquarters for American general John J Pershing. It was later used as an officer's club, before being converted into a five-star hotel.

Kith Paris entrance
Nike sneaker casts line the barrel-vaulted ceiling at the store's entrance

Snarkitecture's approach was to combine contemporary forms and graphics with traditional materials and proportions.

"Much of the design was inspired by the history and existing condition of Pershing Hall," said the studio, which is led by artist Daniel Arsham. "However, it was important to balance those elements with a contemporary retail experience."

"In order to reference the historical context of the space, we introduced new techniques and materials to the Kith retail aesthetic, including walnut wainscotting, moulding and Venetian plaster."

Pershing Hall staircase and Kith chandelier
A second Nike ceiling installation features in the main stairwell

The most eye-catching of the new additions are the two ceiling installations made from Nike sneaker casts.

While these installations are a common feature in Kith's stores, here they are designed to replicate historic elements – a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a teardrop chandelier.

Nike sneakers chandelier at Kith Paris
The cast shoes are arranged in the form of a chandelier

"The overhead installation at the entrance offers a visually impactful initial moment and hints at what's to come inside the space," said Snarkitecture.

"The scale and location of the central staircase provided another opportunity to introduce the cast shoe motif, while creating an iconic moment inside the store," it continued.

"We liked the idea of reimagining a traditional chandelier form, with cast shoes replacing the crystal of a traditional chandelier."

Kith Paris courtyard with green wall
A courtyard restaurant features a green wall created by Patrick Blanc

Both installations are created from casts of Nike Air Max 1, a design connected to Paris because it was partially inspired by the Centre Pompidou.

"Finding the right sneaker to cast is always somewhat tricky," said the design team. "We worked closely with Ronnie Feig, owner and founder of Kith, to select the shoe model, material, texture and even the lacing method."

Kith Paris lounge
Walnut wainscotting provides shelving displays in one room

Pershing Hall's redevelopment was spearheaded by real-estate investor MARK. Kith has taken three floors of the building, while the upper floors will be used as offices.

Key spaces on Kith's floors include the glass-roofed courtyard, which has become a Sadelle's bar and restaurant, which features a green wall by French botanist Patrick Blanc.

Snarkitecture also updated some of the building's existing architectural details, for instance, the cast-iron balustrade now incorporates the Kith logo.

Kith retail gallery
Milled marble benches provide seating for trying on shoes

Showroom spaces are organised around the courtyard. They include a Treats cereal bar, a lounge space furnished with blue velvet seats, and retail galleries fitted with geometric brass hanging rails.

Meanwhile, the basement floor features a room designed to look like an aircraft interior.

Kith Paris by Snarkitecture
A basement space is designed to feel like an aircraft cabin

"We want people to feel a sense of wonder and discovery as they progress through the different store environments, each with their own curated moments," added the designers.

"We hope that people working at Kith enjoy the space – it should feel like a welcoming home for everyone."

Other Kith stores featured on Dezeen include venues in West Hollywood, Miami and Brooklyn.

More images and plans

Kith Paris courtyard with green wall
Kith Paris courtyard with green wall
Sadelles
Sadelles
Pershing Hall staircase
Kith Paris lounge
Kith Paris
Kith Paris by Snarkitecture
Kith retail gallery
Treats
Treats
Kith Paris by Snarkitecture