Chris Briffa Architects

Shoe Shop In Valletta

SHOE SHOP IN VALLETTA

Chris Briffa Architects

Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects

ARCHITECTS
Chris Briffa Architects: Chris Briffa, Bernard Vella, Marcia Calleja

AREA
21.0 m2

YEAR
2007

LOCATION
Karrantza Harana, Spain

CATEGORY
Retail

Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects

Text description provided by architect.

The site for a new shoe shop in Valletta, presented a very limited volume – one 3x7m room with an underlying basement – which provided the most significant challenge.

From the early sketches, we adopted a vertical approach rather than a horizontal one, and the volume was fragmented into one giant staircase which would combine display, seating, storage and all services into one.

Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects
Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects

We imagined clients walking up, down and around the stairs, choosing their favourite shoes and actually sitting next to them to try them on, rather than looking at the merchandise through a glass.

The experience of being surrounded by the products, together with the constantly changing vistas while exploring the shop enhances both the shopper.

The shopped in a surreal, stepped space reminiscent of Japanese shoe-box architecture adorned by traditional Maltese textures; wrought iron railings, the Maltese eight-pointed cross, traditional lace.

Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects
Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects
Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects
Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects
Shoe Shop In Valletta
© Chris Briffa Architects


Shoe Shop In Valletta
section 01
Shoe Shop In Valletta
drawing


Shoe Shop In Valletta
plan 01
Shoe Shop In Valletta
plan 02
Shoe Shop In Valletta
plan 03
Shoe Shop In Valletta
plan 04

Chris Briffa Architects
T +356 2122 1407 M +356 7971 8787
Chris Briffa Architects
146, St Paul Street, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1218, Malta