Banks Journal
Los Angeles, CA
Brought on by Banks Journal to create a memorable environment, West of West designed a clean and minimal space for the brand's first retail showroom located in Downtown Los Angeles.
West of West sought to create volume within the tall retail space, situated in the shell of a historic industrial building. The attention to materials and craft and commitment to an understated but unique experience aligns with Banks Journal’s mission to provide considered, sustainable design. The store’s unique aesthetic also points to Banks’ multi-pronged global roots and inspiration, including the thoughtful minimalism of Japanese craft, the laid-back styling of Byron Bay surf culture, and the ever-evolving urban energy of Los Angeles.
Divided into a shopping area, changing rooms, and benches, the catalyst for the interior shape is a lattice ceiling installation made of 1000 linear feet of wood, a nod to Japanese woodworking traditions that influenced mid-century Californian design. Banks Journal requested multiple spaces while still preserving a strong sense of openness. The triple-vaulted ceiling allows one to move under, through, and out of the implied volumes, creating multiple experiences within a small space without using any walls. Along with incorporated lighting, the vaulted ceiling carves distinct but ephemeral spaces within spaces for a nuanced shopping experience.
