Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary practice, 22RE, was enlisted by luxury men’s multi-brand retailer, Departamento, for their latest Los Angeles storefront. The shop is situated within Signal, the architectural retail enclave located in downtown Los Angeles, home to upscale,California-based lifestyle and design brands.

Similar to the existing Departamento storefront, customers access the shop through aconcealed entrance, located in Concierge Coffee. Once through this discreet entrance, visitors find themselves in a portal clad in mirrored walls that playfully transport shoppers into the store.

Inside, 22RE leans into the original architecture’s industrial elements through a deconstructivist lens. The space follows a grid floor plan – reminiscent of a library or supermarket – that is then disrupted and divided into distinct zones. This non-linear layout challenges the traditional browsing experience and provides an unconventional yet effective approach to shopping. 

As clients explore each corner of the store, they are treated to glimpses of various vignettes and collections via strategically placed mirrors, adding an element of voyeuristic intrigue to their journey. These design features not only evoke a feeling of expansion and contraction, but ultimately encourage moments of discovery. Instead of providing expanses of product for shoppers, 22RE created moments of blank space to allow the eye a moment of rest.