Holzweiler opens its first store outside of Oslo, in the capital of the fjords Bergen.
On the 27th of April, Holzweiler opened the doors to its first mono-brand store outside of Oslo. The store is made in collaboration with architects Snøhetta and artist Ali Gallefoss. Snøhetta has been part of the Holzweiler showroom and retail identity since 2017 and has also been assigned to develop and design the next store inline in Oslobukta planned to open June 2021.
The relationship with local artist, Ali Gallefoss, began 2 years ago with a sculpture, The Elephant in the Room, that Ali made from Holzweiler deadstock scarves and later traveled from Norway to Paris, Copenhagen, and Beijing. Since then, Holzweiler x Ali Gallefoss has meant a t-shirt collaboration as well as Ali's art being displayed and sold in the Holzweiler store in Oslo.
The new store in Bergen is located in the art deco-inspired 1930's Kroepelingården building on Strandgaten 18. Here Snøhetta has drawn direct inspiration from the local west coasts landscape and coastal conditions into the store interior design. Local inspiration has been pivotal and is incorporated into everything as for example the hanging and display of clothing garments on solid oak milled rails brings an association of traditional handrails and craftsmanship. Clothing rods are woven between a variety of artwork created by artist Ali Gallefoss blurring the lines between art and functioning display and merchandising objects. In collaboration with Gallefoss the idea of the new Holzweiler space is to evoke the playfulness and sensation of an art gallery blurring the lines of what a retail experience can be.
Another significant detail of the space is the 1930's herringbone flooring made from boats of the period that was restored. It was discovered during the renovation and was originally not part of the plan, however, quickly altered since the finding was too precious to leave behind.
Ali Gallefoss about the collaboration:
"I am so proud and humbled to be part of designing the new Hollzweiler boutique in my hometown, Bergen, where I know every single cobblestone street and corner. On top of that, I get to work with architects Snøhetta, which is such a great honor.
They have done so much amazing work that I admire deeply, and it has been so exciting to be part of this project. I have retail experience, both as a previous buyer and on the floor, so I have been happy to also incorporate this knowledge into the design process."
Manon Tardieu, Architect, Snøhetta about the inspiration:
"We drew inspiration from the Norwegian west coast Landscape and coastal conditions to create a new interface with an organic spatial expression."
"A significant characteristic of the atmosphere of the space is fashioned by the discovery and restoration of the 1930's herringbone flooring made from wooden teak planks of the period. It is warm and inviting bringing the 1930s back to space."
Andreas Holzweiler, about collaboration:
For us, it is a full love affair; Snøhetta, Ali, and Bergen. Ali is originally from Bergen, so it just made so much sense for us to bring him into the making of this amazing store, which I believe to be the most beautiful store we ever did. The history of the space, the architectural references are taken from the coastal conditions merged into the massive wooden rails, and Ali's completely amazing sculptures to bring that link between retail and gallery to life is just more than I could have dreamed of would come together for our 4th retail space in Norway.
To celebrate the new store a special mini collection was designed; the Holzweiler Bergen edition available in the store in Bergen or at holzweileroslo.com
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