The JANUS et Cie West Hollywood showroom is a new location for this industry leader in design driven furnishings for the outdoors. An opportunity presented itself in the acquisition of a free -standing building situated among West Hollywood Design District’s most coveted showrooms. The modest 3,495 square foot box-like structure presented a dual challenge of creating a dynamic exterior presence as well as a flexible showroom space that could accommodate a comprehensive product presentation.

The exterior challenge was to create a compelling presence to the existing enclosed box structure. The designer’s solution was to design an exterior façade that would expand upon JANUS et Cie’s signature garden inspired interior wall finish of faux boxwood. By cladding the entire building’s exterior vertical surfaces with faux boxwood in an espalier inspired pattern, the entire building became an extension of the JANUS et Cie brand thus creating a building identity that transcends the customary storefront signage.

The interior also required a creative approach to maximize the continually changing product presentation. Sixteen feet- tall floor to ceiling illuminated wall displays were designed along the interior perimeter walls to display the product in a dynamic way thus opening up the floor space for the most recent product introductions. The perimeter wall displays provide for JANUS et Cie’s carpet, textile, accessory and sales staff work stations. An integrated video presentation has been introduced using the latest Bluescape technology that allows real-time client participation and collaboration from anywhere in the world. A system of modular accessory floor displays has been designed to further enhance the flexibility of the open floorplan product presentation with
multiconfiguration.

The overall luminescent light palette creates a neutral backdrop for the client’s diverse product offering while avoiding visual clutter.

The original site employed a modest outdoor rear service area closed off to the interior, the designer expanded the display space by penetrating the rear wall with expansive glass windows and doors to take full advantage of this underutilized patio area while adding an abundance of natural light to the interior.

To accentuate this new outdoor area from within the showroom a full teak vestibule announces the transition from indoors to out and services both by offering clients a full use self-serve coffee/wine bar and materials display.
The Covid 19 restrictions reinforced the advantage of this beneficial design by creating multiple separate and distanced indoor and outdoor settings to visiting clients.

The showroom opened during the Covid 19 pandemic and to create an optimistic message during this challenging time, the storefront’s floor to ceiling expansive glass display window façade, provided for a whimsical widow display opportunity created by the designer. The message “When life gives you lemons make lemoncello” created with a ceiling to floor cascade of lemons, with lemoncello being offered to visiting clients within.
[This was a nod to JANUS et Cie’s Italian sister showroom in Milan.]

In tandem with the showroom’s restricted opening, a full VR showroom interactive experience was created to allow potential visitors a method to experience the space and purchase product from afar until an actual visit is possible.

The JANUS et Cie West Hollywood showroom serves as a source of visual inspiration and reference, while offering an engaging safe place to meet with clients, grab a cup of coffee and work with a dedicated team of specialists.