Architectural SSL - March 2022

Page 15

© Bulgari, courtesy MVRDV

RETAIL: BULGARI

Jade Jewel in Shanghai When one of the most luxurious jewelry brands

façade its jade look,” said project architect Jacob

on the planet, Bulgari, chose to open a new

van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV.

3,000-sq.-ft. store in Shanghai, one of the most

The layered panels form an Art-Deco-inspired

fashion-conscious cities in the world, people

pattern enhanced with gold-colored brass trim.

expected a stunning retail result. What they may

The LED backlight, provided by LUCE5, was spe-

not have foreseen, was how eco-conscious the

cially engineered to minimize the façade’s energy

store’s exterior would be as well.

footprint, while creating a stunning glow that

Designed by MVRDV, the store’s façade

highlights the unique textural quality of the glass.

became a statement piece, taking on a jewel-like

“The project demonstrates the potential

quality that resembles Jade, one of China’s most

of recycled materials, even in luxury context,

precious stones. Although the material appears

with integrated energy-efficient LED lighting,

to have great value, it is, in fact, trash, or it

that advances MVRDV and Bulgari’s goal of

would have been. The green panels are made

store designs that are built using 100% circular

from compressed recycled sintered green glass,

economy materials,” said van Rijs. “Here is an

a unique material effect that creates a translu-

example, that given the right treatment and

cent finish.

detailing, leftover champagne and beer bottles,

“The glass is completely recycled, produced at the Magna factory in Teutschenthal, Germany,

which would otherwise be thrown away, become a glowing jewel for the city.”•

which specializes in glass treatment and developed the chemical process that gives the Bulgari

Visit www.luce5.it/en or Circle 234.

ABOVE: Recycled glass bottles create a unique material effect on the facade of the new flagship Bulgari store in Shanghai. At night, LED lights behind the jade-like panels give the Bulgari façade a stunning glow, a distinctive presence on a major Shanghai shopping thoroughfare,

www.architecturalssl.com

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