Studio 8
Head to toe is located on King William Street in Adelaide. As this store is classified as retail it's important to note that it is in close proximity to rundle mall which is economically sustainable as it is in a good location.
Conventional, mass-produced footwear is becoming the norm in today’s society. Conventional methods mean that the machines do the heavy lifting and there is no control on how the material is used, therefore resulting in the use of lower quality processed or synthetic leathers/fabrics. By creating custom made footwear the customer will be able to have exactly what they want without downgrading the quality and longevity of the item. Combining this typology (Shoemaker) with a hairdresser focuses on the personalisation of the opposite ends of the body (Hair & Feet) and provides the individuality people want.
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The two spaces (Shoemaker and Hair Salon) are connected through the use of a staircase that integrates the reception desk, workstations and design area while also being used as a display for shoes and hair products while also becoming a place where people can sit and wait. Integrating many elements to the one design showcases a variety of details and creates clusters and strings of spaces that are all connected, therefore making it highly convivial.
A railing has also been designed with convivial principles in mind, which goes through every section of the store. The railing was not designed to serve one purpose but multiple which makes it more convivial as it has a diversity of uses, as it not only provides safety on the stairs but can also be used to hang displays, tools, and designs. The forms of the railing also create individuality & uniqueness and connect all the spaces together.
For the shoe design area, I wanted it to be an immersive experience, to get the customers involved in the process. The form of the area comes from the stairs and having the railing run along the top creates a little hub like feeling where the customers can walk into and experience the feel and look of the fabrics and shoe styles to design their perfect shoe.
The workshop area aims at teamwork so the table has been designed so everyone is working alongside each other – There is also a tool storage table behind the workstation so the tools can be shared and are not far away making it practical.
The hair salon has been kept simple and is located on the mezzanine level so people can see the process of the shoes being made while getting their hair done. The mirrors and little pouches for magazines are hung by the railing. Plenty of storage is also included throughout the store in order to fit the needs of the employees.
The elements of my design are all installed into the building and will not change the original envelope. My stair design stands apart from the existing materials and shapes found in the building and the connection between the new and old is visually clear.
Image of physical white card model demonstrating the multipurpose staircase.
