Pret a Portrait | draisci studio

Nine RIBA Architecture practices took over Xintiandi, one of the most famous retail environments in Shanghai’s and showcased their talents during Shanghai Fashion Week for the RIBA Shanghai Windows Project 2015.
Draisci studio collaborated with Bacodes (http://www.bacodes.com/) to develop an installation to represent the eyewear brand.

Framing the eyes with glasses transforms every face into a portrait.
In line with the playful fashionable approach of the Bacodes brand, Draisci Studio team designed faceted blocks that smile and seem to come alive with eyewear on.
The blocks are designed as flat packs folding into modules, that are assembled to create a new temporary facade for the BACODES shop in Xintiandi, Shanghai.
The eccentric installation invades the space surrounding the shop, diffusing the vivid energy of
colours, contagiously spreading a joyful mood and happy feelings, sense of surprise and wonder.

During the time that the installation was up, the shop increased its turnover by nearly 40%, demonstrating that design can add value, beyond aesthetics and functionality

Design and Production team: Francesco Draisci, Rosalba Napolitano, Edoardo Merlo
Photos: © China Xintiandi and © Liam Clarke