Exploring A Store Made Entirely of Resin Inside An Art Gallery

Made entirely of resin, The Gallery Shop by Akin Atelier was designed with one key purpose in mind: to create a space that felt at home within the art gallery. Additionally, Akin Atelier wanted the shop to feel like its own art installation. The journey of materiality and exploration of resin became a part of the artistic endeavour that transcended the boundaries of traditional retail design. With the help of Hayden Cox – Founder and Lead Designer at Haydenshapes with over 25 years’ experience working with resin – Akin Atelier could maximise the materiality for the retail space.

Though the client delivered a simple brief, Akin Atelier found it to be both interesting and challenging to design a space within a culturally significant building. Bouncing off the design established by SANAA, Akin Atelier wanted to create a space that was sympathetic to its surroundings. Therefore, the architectural approach observed and considered the existing environmental and cultural features and responded to them appropriately. A sense of identity and innovative character was instilled in the shop, which was delivered through layers of transparent resin. However, due to a limited knowledge of the material, Akin Atelier approached Haydenshapes to help mix different batches of resin and achieve the layered effect.

An ode to the natural landscape, the colour of the resin references the sandstone hues that come from the original art gallery across the way. Through colour and form, Akin Atelier and Haydenshapes create a retail space that is both iconic and enduring. Achieved through its transparency, the resin captures unexpected moments, with imperfections and bubbles that float through the material. When the afternoon sun shines through the resin, the retail space and gallery are illuminated in an amber glow that is truly awe-inspiring. A celebration of creative rigour and experimentation, the retail space champions the local and handmade products within.

Yayoi Kusama, Flowers that Bloom in the Cosmos 2022, Art Gallery of New South Wales, commissioned for the Sydney Modern Project © Yayoi Kusama.

Francis Upritchard, Here Comes Everybody 2022, Art Gallery of New South Wales, commissioned for the Sydney Modern Project © Francis Upritchard.

China, White Taihu rock, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 2003.

00:00 - Introduction to the Resin Store
00:48 - The New Sydney Modern Extension
01:19 - The Initial Brief
01:34 - Bringing A Unique Identity To The Store
02:08 - Layers of Transparency
02:27 - A Four Year Journey
02:47 - Complexities of the Project
02:31 - Responding to the Materials of the Original Art Gallery
04:09 - Favourite Aspects
04:40 - Rewarding Aspects

For more from The Local Project:



Photography by Rory Gardiner.
Architecture and Interior Design by Akin Atelier.
Build and Joinery by EMAC Constructions.
Resin Installation by Akin Atelier and Hayden Cox.
Engineering by ARUP.
Filmed by O&Co. Homes.
Edited by Luey Conway.
Production by The Local Project.
_
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people of these lands.

#Resin #ArtGallery #Design

[REDnBLACKnRED]

The sandstone colour was the absolute best choice. It's warm and inviting and suits the softness conveyed by the material. It comes alive in a beautiful way in the sunlit space. Stunning design.