In today’s retail landscape, where shopping experiences are becoming increasingly immersive and curated, the transformation of the Andrews store within Bayview Village Shopping Centre stands out for its balance between intimacy and grandeur. Located in one of Toronto’s most iconic shopping centers, originally built in the 1960s as a community hub, this newly reimagined space embodies a fresh vision of understated luxury and everyday elegance.
The intervention by Odami, led by architects Aránzazu González Bernardo and Michael Fohring, reinterprets the brand’s DNA through a design that transcends the traditional department store concept, transforming it into a fluid and welcoming environment. The goal? To create a space that harmonizes a vast product selection with a tailored experience, guiding customers through a sensory journey of premium materials, carefully calibrated lighting, and a spatial layout designed to inspire discovery and personalization.
Framing the space, five oversized light panels emerge from the perimeter walls, highlighting garments and accessories with brushed satin nickel bars suspended from the ceiling. Lighting plays a key role, creating focal points that evoke discovery and individuality—core values of the Andrews brand. Additional backlit perforated stainless steel surfaces house products on shelves, contributing to a sense of depth and sophisticated theatricality.
Functional innovation is also evident in the upholstered wall panels, which integrate a modular display system that provides maximum flexibility for merchandise presentation. The ribbed fabric not only enhances acoustic comfort but also introduces a rhythmic graphic element that, combined with full-height mirrors, speckled porcelain tiles, and metal details, visually guides customers throughout the store.
The store’s architectural identity extends to the display windows, designed to offer curated glimpses into the interior and spark curiosity among passersby. A final illuminated panel solidifies the transformation of the space, orchestrating a composition of volumes and materials that critically respond to the site’s conditions, crafting a human-scaled retail experience within a department-store-sized setting.
CREDITS:
Project: Andrews Bayview village
Architect: Odami
Year: 2024
Location: Toronto, Canada
Photo: John Alunan
