Shoe Supply's Upcycled Design
Belgian design firm Pinkeye recently created a retail space for Antwerp's Shoe Supply that upcycles an entire classroom. Situated on a quiet side street in the city's main retail district, the shop's off-the-beaten path locale tasked the designers with a hefty challenge: create an attention grabbing concept that would have mass appeal—and do it on the cheap. A local school was shuttered and instead of letting its contents lay to waste, the designers took desks, maps, lockers, chemistry flasks, and lamps to create this retro-inspired sneaker shop.
"The store not only speaks to teens who still spend most of their days in a classroom, but it also makes older generations reminisce while they look for the sneaker brands they have stayed true to since their high school days," says Ruud Belmans, Pinkeye's creative director. We asked Belmans a few questions via email about the store's concept. Read on to see what he has to say.
Ruud Belmans, the creative director at Pinkeye.
Our classroom concept was completely the opposite direction of what the owner had in mind, and he was worried. Now he's very happy to sit behind his teacher's desk, seeing visitors look around and admire the space.
Chemistry equipment becomes vehicle to display hats.
Lockers also serve as display cases for sneakers and apparel.
Desks line the center of the store and a shelf made from a climbing wall is in the background.
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