DESIGN DISPATCH

A Soaring Blobby Sculpture Punctuates a Remodeled Rains Flagship, and Other News

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Rains’s Aarhus boutique. Image courtesy of Rains

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A Soaring Blobby Sculpture Punctuates a Remodeled Rains Flagship

In the heart of Aarhus, Denmark, the stormwear brand Rains has unveiled a bold revamp of its flagship store, a fusion of minimalist design and avant-garde artistry. The boutique, originally opened in 2016, now features industrial elements such as graffiti and stainless steel hardware, punctuated by custom works from local artists. The pièce de résistance is a sprawling, blob-like sculpture by Danish artist Jacob Egebjerg, which engulfs the cash desk in a playful twist on retail convention. 

Crafted from polystyrene foam, the sculpture mimics a liquid cascade frozen mid-splash—a clever homage to the brand’s rainwear. The rest of the interior maintains a cool, restrained minimalism, with display cases of transparent glass and large-format concrete tiles underfoot. A graffiti piece by artist Peter Birk adds a splash of color, while a custom black carpet with a distressed patina effect provides a touch of softness amidst the industrial aesthetic. —Nate Storey

David Zwirner’s new offices in Manhattan designed by Annabelle Selldorf. Photography by Nicholas Venezia, courtesy of Selldorf Architects

David Zwirner scales down his plans for a new gallery, a two-story project in Chelsea. 

David Zwirner has decided not to proceed with a 50,000-square foot, five-story, $50 million gallery designed by Renzo Piano at 540 West 21st Street in Manhattan, citing financial challenges by the developer during the pandemic. For the same cost, the art dealer plans to build an 18,000-square-foot, two-story gallery and offices at 533 West 19th Street, designed by Annabelle Selldorf, with construction scheduled to begin this year, and they created new offices at 520 West 20th Street that opened in June. Zwirner wouldn’t disclose the decision’s financial terms of withdrawing from 21st Street, but reiterated to the New York Times his commitment to Chelsea as the world’s premier art district and “making lemonade out of lemons.” 

The fashion conglomerate Kering plans to purchase a 30 percent stake in Valentino.

Kering plans to purchase a 30 percent stake in Valentino from Mayhoola, the parent company, for €1.7 billion ($1.87 billion) in cash. This move is part of a broader strategic partnership between the two conglomerates, potentially leading to Mayhoola becoming a shareholder in Kering. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, pending approval. Kering’s CEO, François-Henri Pinault, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration and Valentino’s growth under Mayhoola’s ownership. The partnership aims to support Valentino’s brand elevation strategy and will grant Kering board representation as a significant shareholder, while Mayhoola retains a majority stake. The companies will also explore potential joint opportunities to align with their respective development strategies.

Rendering of an ADU by Lehrer Architects and Kadre Architects

Angelenos can now download plans for standard ADUs designed by Lehrer Architects.

Los Angeles has introduced an ADU plan to tackle the city’s severe housing crisis. The plan offers a free downloadable design by Lehrer Architects and Kadre Architects, named the You ADU, which can be constructed for $130,000, promoting density and increasing housing supply. The standardized ADU was collaboratively developed by the architects and the city’s Bureau of Engineering, and Building and Safety, aiming to create an affordable and easy-to-permit design that complements existing homes and the neighborhood while incorporating dynamic interior and exterior spaces for indoor/outdoor living.

A Frank Lloyd Wright house destroyed in the Woolsey fires may rise again in Malibu.

The Arch Oboler Complex, Frank Lloyd Wright’s sole project in Malibu, was destroyed in the 2018 Woolsey fires; its charred remains had to be demolished due to safety regulations. Now, an opportunity for reinvention is arising as the 100-acre plot of land is up for sale at nearly $7.5 million, offering the chance to rebuild the 4,000-square-feet gatehouse or start anew. Despite the challenges of rebuilding Wright’s work, potential owners have the prospect of experiencing the genius of Wright firsthand.

Billionaire art collector Joe Lewis gets indicted for insider trading and financial fraud.

Billionaire art collector Joe Lewis, also known for owning the Tottenham Hotspur soccer club, faced charges of insider trading and financial fraud in New York. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, and Christie Curtis, acting director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, announced the indictment against Lewis and two co-conspirators, who were arrested. The charges allege that Lewis orchestrated a brazen insider trading scheme, providing inside information to his partners, assistants, friends, and pilots, resulting in millions of dollars in stock market gains.

The Crystal Residence. Image courtesy of Andrés Reisinger and Alba de la Fuente

Today’s attractive distractions:

Andrés Reisinger has dreamed up a monolithic crystal residence in the desert.

Scientists reconstruct the face of a woman who perished in a 1628 shipwreck.

A vigilant TikToker is going viral for calling out would-be pickpockets in Italy.

Bean-to-bar chocolate makers are experimenting with aging in whiskey casks.

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