News Established in Geneva since 1947, Hermès has opened a new store, doubling the retail space devoted to its inimitable luxury goods and time-honoured savoir-faire.
On 29 November, Hermès opened its new Swiss headquarters in Geneva. Located between the Rue du Rhône, the Rue Robert-Céard and the Quai du Général-Guisan, the stone building, erected in 1946 by Marc-Joseph Saugey, rises seven storeys high, three of which are reserved for sales.
With a floor space of 470 m2, this new outlet reflects the ideas of Parisian architects RDAI, who are responsible for designing Hermès stores worldwide. The pale limestone building with its tall windows and rationalist inspiration is extremely bright. On the ground floor there are six large bay windows emboldened by anthracite metallic frames and decorated with Greek motifs at their base.
The façade is punctuated by eight backlit Hermès logotypes. A more imposing logo appears on the steel and tinted glass awning, classed as an historic monument, which marks the corner of the Rue du Rhône and the Rue Robert-Céard. Lastly, on the Lake side, a giant illuminated logotype one metre tall sits atop the zinc roof.
The perfectly symmetrical main entrance on the Rue du Rhône is framed by two large windows, their corners slightly curved in a reference to 24 Faubourg, in Paris. Stepping onto a mosaic floor inlaid with the House of Hermès ex-libris, visitors discover an initial area devoted to silks, perfumes and accessories. Here, bright Marmorino stucco and chevroned mirrors diffract light onto silhouettes and surfaces. The tie display leads into the men’s section, on the Lake side, with its collections of made-to-measure garments, leather goods, luggage and shoes.
Dotted here and there are glass and cherry wood furnishings and brown leather seats from the 26/28 Faubourg Saint-Honoré line, designed by RDAI. On the ground floor, a glass cube houses a lift with a cherry wood interior, while on either side two sculpted white staircases direct light upwards to the next floor, beckoning visitors to follow their inlaid mosaic path to the delights above. Lush, off-white carpeting creates a serene and comfortable ambience, reflected by the soft tones of the Marmorino stuccoed walls.
On the side of the Rue du Rhône, a galaxy of jewels awaits the visitor: cherry wood partitions, tables and chairs upholstered in brown leather and several nooks lined with copper-coloured fabric create a warm and welcoming décor. Between this section and the area devoted to women’s fashion lies an oasis of leather, in the form of bags and accessories.
On the Lake side, monumental bay windows with sliding engraved glass panels are lined with leather seats. Free-standing clothes rails punctuate the space, mirrored in the large fitting room doors.
The second floor, reached by a single staircase, reveals the world of the home, the art of living and furniture collections by Jean-Michel Frank presented by Hermès. Stained oak parquet flooring and Marmorino walls create a bright atmosphere in this part of the store. A photographic exhibition area and a showroom complete the line-up on this floor.
Lights representing a Greek meander, associated with moulded glass globes specially designed for Hermès in 1925, bring the interior into sharp relief on the ground floor and first floor.
December 19, 2011
