Oklahoma City, OK
Our project concept was to take advantage of a prime location of an existing tire store across the street from a major regional shopping mall and create a design that combines both the needs and the business philosophy of Samuel Gordon Jewelers.
There are four key points to the project concept: number one, we set about to develop a design concept that subliminally evoked the product for sale, namely diamonds; two, create a building that consists of crystalline and faceted elements much like that of diamonds; three, include a clock tower as a building focal point and as a traditional jewelry store icon; and four, breakdown the jewelry store “intimidation factor” by creating a friendly entry. We have used this concept to create a “wedding garden” at the entry profuse with roses–the romantic flower. Our intention is to allow this ingredient to appeal to the romantic sense; to give something physically back to the city and for it to be an ongoing living ingredient of the building. We have consciously chosen to reintroduce “window shopping” into this retail environment.
The focal point of the showroom is a lighted fabric “chandelier” made of white iridescent fabric hanging “handkerchief style” from the ceiling over the central display cabinet islands.
This project has won three major awards: Builders Magazine 1991 Builders Choice Award, Qualified Remodeler 1991 Design Award, and the American Institute of Architects Oklahoma Chapter 1991 Award of Excellence.
