West Coast Flagship

Colors and textures of southern California inform an East Coast fragrance house’s expansion in Venice Beach.

D.S. & Durga Abbot Kinney

Retail

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Building on a design-focused collaboration that began with D.S. & Durga’s first two retail locations, the 1,042 sf store in Venice Beach marks the fragrance house’s West Coast flagship.

Project details

Building on a design-focused collaboration that began with DS& Durga’s first two retail locations, the 1,042 sf store in Venice Beach marks the fragrance house’s west coast flagship. Designed to work in concert with the brand but adapted to a California sensibility, the store features a John Lautner-inspired sculptural ceiling that creates a feeling of volume and openness.

Poured concrete that evokes rammed earth and acrylic pyramid stud finishes are part of the same aesthetic family established with the east coast stores. Curved walls create distinct areas within the space and distinguish transactional areas like the point-of-sale area from other parts of the store without cutting off the flow of movement. A back space for events and in-store activations was inspired by James Turrell and works in concert to create a warm and inviting space.

The project’s design produces an experience that pays homage to nature through a contemporary and urban lens and embodies the brand’s motto of “Perfume is Armchair Travel.”

Location
Venice Beach, United States
Client
D.S. & Durga
Size
1,042 sf
97 sqm
Collaborators
Ralph Gentile Architects (Architect of record)
Awards
  • 2024 Inside: World Festival of Interiors – Retail, Shortlist

“We were careful to ensure that this first location in California had a personality of its own – bringing in unique design elements and subtle touches like display cases that transcend the physical store through scent and story-telling.”

– Krista Ninivaggi, New York Principal and Interior Design Leader, Woods Bagot.

“We believe the power of scent is equal to that of sight and sound.”

– D.S. & Durga

“A great perfume is a keyhole into another realm; an invisible landscape that you can enter and explore any time.”

               – D.S. & Durga

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