+55 Design Store by Studio Arthur Casas: A Brazilian Design Experience

The +55 Design Store, conceived by Studio Arthur Casas, is more than a retail space: it is a curated exhibition of Brazilian design identity, materiality, and contemporary architectural expression. Reflecting the brand’s ethos, the store seamlessly integrates Brazilian craftsmanship, biophilic design, and minimalist architecture to create a unique shopping experience in São Paulo.

Architecture Inspired by Brazilian Identity

The architecture of the +55 Design Store draws inspiration from Brazility, a defining aspect of the brand’s identity. To emphasize this, the façade features cobogós, perforated concrete screens, and earthy monochromatic tones accented with lush greenery composed of native Brazilian species. This approach not only highlights the store’s tropical context but also transforms it into an interactive exhibition space where the products themselves become the stars.

“The project was thought searching for solutions to evidence the furniture, not the architecture,” explains Arthur Casas.

By creating a neutral, minimalistic environment, the architecture allows the furniture and design objects to command attention. The interplay of natural and artificial lighting further enhances the space. An amorphous opening between the ground floor and mezzanine, coupled with a glass roof, floods the interiors with daylight, highlighting the textures, finishes, and materiality of the displayed pieces.

Flexible Layout and Innovative Lighting

The store’s layout prioritizes flexibility, accommodating diverse product arrangements. Orthogonal dividers made of metal and suede provide versatile display configurations, ensuring that the interior composition can be easily adapted.

The uppermost floor remains fully open, protected only by a retractable awning, creating a light, airy environment. The artificial lighting system is meticulously designed to emulate natural daylight with moving light spots, balancing focal and diffuse illumination. This creates dynamic light and shadow contrasts and a cozy, inviting atmosphere throughout the space.

Monochrome Materiality and Biophilic Design

A monochrome palette of walls, ceilings, and floors reinforces the store’s neutral character. The only vibrant color appears on the façade: a lush green that reflects the brand’s visual identity and engages in dialogue with the surrounding landscaping.

Studio Arthur Casas collaborated with Leandro Reis from Lapa Garden to integrate biophilic elements, bringing the natural vegetation of the Mata Atlântica into the interiors. The store also emphasizes natural ventilation and transparency, achieved through a permeable volume composed of custom Ípsilon cobogós in pigmented concrete, specially developed for this project.

Featured Brazilian Furniture and Craftsmanship

The +55 Design Store showcases a curated selection of high-end Brazilian furniture, including:

• Max and Jet Set dining chairs
• Jet Set and Soft armchairs for living spaces
• Apache dining table with Brazilian marble top and Tauari wood base
• Côncavo wooden sideboard and stainless steel shelf
• Mineral concrete bench and side table
• Pan Am sofa in crumpled-effect leather

Arthur Casas emphasizes the importance of locally-produced, 100% Brazilian furniture, celebrating the craftsmanship and material innovation behind each piece.

The +55 Design Store by Studio Arthur Casas exemplifies the fusion of Brazilian design identity, minimalist architecture, and biophilic principles. Every architectural decision, from lighting and materiality to flexible layouts and greenery, supports the ultimate goal: to highlight the artistry of Brazilian furniture and design objects. This São Paulo store is a destination where architecture itself becomes a stage for creativity, offering visitors a dynamic and immersive retail experience.

All photographs are works of Fran Parente