THE GENTLEMEN STORE || A Tactile and Luxurious Experience Where Raw Materials Meet Refined Design
It’s not every day that a store invites you to touch its walls, feel its furniture, and admire its thoughtful imperfections.
In Prague’s historic Karlín neighbourhood, the Gentleman Store transforms a refurbished basement into a tactile sanctuary, where British sartorial elegance meets a design philosophy rooted in craftsmanship and restraint. Architects from ORA and třiarchitekti embraced the space’s architectural story, letting exposed brick vaults and raw materials take center stage. The result? A boutique that blurs the line between retail and reverie, where every element invites closer inspection and quiet appreciation.
Steel and oak furnishing provide a consistent material theme between the modern upper and historic lower floors.
The boutique's display of shoes and garments is complemented by robust oak furniture and industrial shelving.
Polished concrete flooring, separated from the aged walls by a deliberate joint, emphasizes the interplay of old and new. A terrazzo staircase, strategically placed to connect the basement with the ground floor, adds an understated elegance, bridging spatial continuity with a sense of purpose.
The interior design seamlessly integrates with the architecture, balancing ascetic refinement and utilitarian function. The store’s focus on high-quality British men’s fashion resonates with the materials used throughout the space. Solid oak tables, crafted with deliberate imperfections, stand as functional sculptures. These robust pieces reflect the ethos of craftsmanship while serving as practical elements in the retail environment.
The collection of jackets is displayed on steel fixtures, celebrating both design and function.
The lightweight steel hangers and shelves add an industrial yet refined aesthetic, their simplicity elevating the displayed garments without overwhelming the space. Some are anchored by repurposed stones discovered during the renovation—a nod to the building’s historical narrative. This thoughtful integration of raw materials and minimalist design highlights the merchandise and encourages customers to interact with the space on a deeper level.
The store’s lighting design enhances its atmospheric allure. Focused spotlights accentuate the textures of the materials, while soft ambient lighting complements the subtle colour palette. The muted tones of the walls and furnishings create a serene environment, allowing honed concrete, steel, and oak textures to take center stage.
Exposed brick vaults and green velvet curtains create a dramatic contrast in the fitting rooms.
A sense of playfulness underpins the design philosophy. The interior invites visitors to look beyond the surface, uncovering details that reveal the ingenuity of construction. From the folded steel shelves to the handwoven carpets sourced from Maimana, every element is chosen with care, offering a tactile connection to the story behind each piece.
The Gentleman Store’s design is a contrast study: it is austere and inviting, minimal yet rich with detail. This thoughtfully curated space is not merely a retail venue but an exploration of how design can elevate shopping into an immersive, sensory experience. By preserving the authenticity of the architecture while introducing innovative elements, ORA has created a space that honours the past while looking toward the future.
PROJECT DETAILS
Studio
Author
Jan Veisser, Jan Hora, Barbora Hora [ORA]
David Mareš, Ivona Náterová [třiarchitekti]
Co-author: Maroš Drobňák, Klára Mačková, Klarisa Ach-Hübner, Pavla Večeřová, Oskar Madro
Project location: Karlínské náměstí 209/9, Prague
Project Country: Czech Republic
Project year: 2023
Completion year: 2023
Usable floor area: 265 m²
Client: Gentleman Store
Photographer: BoysPlayNice