Design studio Uchronia has overhauled womenswear boutique Koibird in London’s Marylebone, introducing a gradient colour scheme and details including a giant planet sculpture and a floor made from painted lava stone.
Uchronia designed the store, as well as its in-house nutrition bar Koi 11, with the aim of giving the interior an “eclectic” feel.
“The concept for the Koibird renovation was to create an immersive and dynamic space that blends fashion, wellness and food into a seamless sensory experience,” Uchrinia founder Julien Sebban told Dezeen.
“Our goal was to design a destination that embodies Koibird’s eclectic identity, merging discovery and innovation in every element.”
To do so, Uchronia used a bright palette of graduated colours, with green blending into pink and purple in the store’s main room, which also features psychedelic green-and-purple flooring tiles made from hand-painted lava stone.
“The colour palette was inspired by Koibird’s iconic brand hues and a desire to create an atmospheric gradient that would guide customers through different sensory zones,” Sebban explained.
“We incorporated a spectrum from deep purples to vibrant greens on the walls, evoking a playful yet sophisticated ambience that mirrors the store’s multifaceted offerings.”
The refurbishment also features a hidden back room, which Uchronia clad in shimmering silver tiles. Other playful details in the store include a shelf shaped like the letter K and amorphous furniture in silver and pink.
“Silver was chosen as a key accent because of its reflective, futuristic quality and its symbolic resonance with Koibird’s otherworldly aesthetic,” Sebban said.
“The metallic sheen adds a sense of discovery and surprise, especially in the central silver planet and the hidden silver-tiled room, both of which create captivating focal points,” he added.
“Silver represents transformation, serving as a visual metaphor for the evolution and versatility that defines Koibird’s identity.”
Uchronia created two eye-catching silver sculptures for the store – a spaceship in the window and a large planet on the main floor – designed as “a nod to cosmic exploration”.
“The silver planet, which serves as a centrepiece for the store, was meticulously designed to be both sculptural and functional,” Sebban said.
“Our goal was to create a central feature that would feel like a work of art – a nod to cosmic exploration – while seamlessly integrating the clothing display.”
The studio hopes that the redesign will create an immersive feel and draw customers into the brand’s world.
“By fusing contemporary design with artisanal craftsmanship, we sought to create an inspiring environment where visitors feel transported into the whimsical yet luxurious world of Koibird,” Sebban concluded.
“The result is a hybrid universe where form, function and aesthetic pleasure intersect, reinforcing Koibird’s bold, statement-making identity.”
Uchronia, which was named emerging interior design studio of the year at the 2023 Dezeen Awards, recently designed Cafe Shin in Paris to be “halfway between Paris and Seoul”.
The photography is by Félix Dol Maillot.
