Architect: Safdie Architects, USA   
Location: Singapore       
  

Located at Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore, the project is housed in one of the Crystal Pavilions of 
the mixed-use complex designed by New York-based Safdie Architects. The radical design for a stand-alone store 
has become the first of it’s kind, an “Island Maison”. Stepping up to this task, famed interior designer, Peter Marino continues his on going relationship with the brand to realize this vision. The concept store was to act as a gallery for LV products and embody the feel of high fashion elegance and the nautical aesthetic for which LVMH has become known.

The selected location presented a number of design challenges, the chief of which was control of an over abundance of tropical sun. The Crystal Pavilion is an asymmetric steel-framed glass building with irregularly angled facades. This combined with it’s location, one degree north of the equator, the structure receives sun from all sides. To solve this problem, FTL Design Engineering Studio was brought on. The result is a solar shading concept of continuous linear white bands that provide the desired shading, UV protection for the handbags and serves as the backdrop on which for the interior build-out. 

The shading system covers all interior wall and ceiling elements and calls to mind the sails and masts of a sailboat. The solar shades are designed as a modular, fully tensioned flat panel system comprised of a powder-coated aluminum frame with stainless steel hold-offs wrapped in a fabric skin. The frame is wrapped in PVC-coated polyester for the wall panels. The panels are arranged in linear strips and attach to the building’s steel columns by custom stainless steel fasteners. The wall panels are demountable for maintenance and cleaning of the glass façade, requiring only a two-person crew and lift. 

Technical info: PVC-coated polyester
Picture credits: FTL Design Engineering