Kengo Kuma pays homage to Catalan architecture with the new Camper store in Barcelona

After designing the Milan flagship store in 2016, Kengo Kuma has just finished renovating a new Camper retail outlet in Barcelona. Located opposite the famous “Plaza Catalonia”, the store pays tribute to Catalan architecture with its numerous vaults reminiscent of Gaudi’s work.

a design inspired by catalan architecture

Since it was founded in 1975, the Camper shoe brand has been surprising and seducing customers with its points of sale, which all bear witness to a unique attention to architecture. For the design of each of its stores, located all around the world from Paris, New York and Tokyo to Barcelona, Camper works with designers to create inspiring spaces that reflect the brand’s values.

For the Barcelona store, Kengo Kuma was directly inspired by Catalan architecture and has reproduced the iconic vault motif over all the walls. These brick-coloured ceramic vaults – which also echo the brand’s signature red – serve as a display unit for the many pairs of shoes and are the store’s sole decorative element.

a warm and welcoming space

Kengo Kuma was looking to create a store with a streamlined design that was warm, welcoming and modern in one.

He therefore chose soft lighting and large mirrors that give the space a feeling of grandeur and reveal all the symbolic and visual impact of the large omnipresent vaults.