Cia Marítima Store on Oscar Freire Street By Rosenbaum: A Sustainable and Immersive Retail Experience

Located on the iconic Oscar Freire Street in São Paulo, Brazil, the Cia Marítima Store, designed by Rosenbaum Architects, offers a remarkable fusion of sustainable materials, innovative architecture, and brand storytelling. Spanning two floors, the store creates a seamless dialogue between natural elements, sunlight, and functional retail design, making it a standout destination for shoppers seeking both style and immersive experiences.

The ground level, aligned with the public sidewalk, integrates functional furniture with lush garden islands, inviting customers into an environment that feels both open and intimate. Two striking rammed earth walls serve as the foundation, interacting with Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) structures that rhythmically support the upper floor. This combination of raw earth, timber, and light not only reinforces the store’s connection to nature but also highlights the structural honesty of sustainable architecture.

The upper floor functions as a gallery and event space, designed as a light-filled box with porous panels that filter sunlight, creating a soft, inviting ambiance. A skylight above the staircase ensures natural light floods the central circulation, connecting the ground floor retail with the upper-level exhibition area.

Sustainability is central to the store’s identity. The flooring uses reclaimed granite chips from Espírito Santo, complementing the earthen walls to create a tactile, mineral-inspired aesthetic. Additionally, carnauba straw mats, produced by the Women Artisans Association of Várzea Queimada in Piauí, form the architectural detailing of the fitting rooms. This collaboration supports local communities, promotes biodiversity-conscious materials, and strengthens the connection between brand identity and cultural heritage.

The Cia Marítima store demonstrates how retail architecture can be environmentally responsible, culturally engaging, and visually striking. Through thoughtful material selection, sustainable construction, and a holistic integration of light, structure, and craft, Rosenbaum Architects have created a shopping destination that celebrates natural beauty and artisanal excellence while offering a dynamic brand experience.

All the photographs are works of Leonardo Finotti