Arch&Type's latest project, Blue Table Chocolates in Buffalo, New York, features a striking retail space with an eye-catching interior. The sculptural ceiling, resembling flowing, untempered chocolate, creates an illusion of dripping onto the walls, enhancing sensory engagement with the space. Read more on SURFACES REPORTER (SR):
Crafted from custom fluid ceiling tiles, digitally modeled and assembled by hand, the design extends seamlessly into the chocolate workshop, blurring the lines between retail and production.
Luxurious Material Palette
The store's interior design exudes warmth and luxury, echoing the quality of its chocolates. Gold accents, white oak, mirrored surfaces, and white marble concrete create a sophisticated foundation.
Modern additions like mirrored displays and magnetic labels enhance the space, while textured groove panels add height and opulence. The wooden finishes evoke a rich, comforting atmosphere, enveloping customers in indulgence and elegance.
Expanding Space through Visual Illusion
Despite its compact size of around 900 square feet, clever design techniques create an illusion of spaciousness at Blue Table Chocolates. Mirrored paneling on the back wall reflects the flowing chocolate ceiling, extending the perceived boundaries of the space. This visual trick not only enhances the feeling of openness but also makes a memorable impact on visitors.
The interior design of Blue Table Chocolates transcends aesthetics to embody the brand's values and essence, creating an immersive consumer experience. This approach deepens customer engagement and fosters appreciation for the products.
Curated Chocolate Displays
The store features carefully curated chocolate displays akin to luxury items boxed in glass, enhancing an opulent atmosphere. Mirrored displays, magnetic labels, and meticulous detailing elevate each vignette to an artistic showcase.
Crafted by Seth Amman and Adam McCullough, with inputs from Mark Amman and the University at Buffalo’s SMART fabrication factory, each detail—from vertical groove panels to frameless lime plaster doors with brass bases—showcases meticulous local craftsmanship and precision.
Project Details
Project Name: Chocolate Store
Location: Buffalo, United States
Firm: Arch&Type (Seth Amman and Adam McCullough)
Area: 780 ft²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Kim Smith
General Contractor: Pike Construction Services