story of the store
The p+a store and Penner & Associates' design studio are located in the newly-restored Flack Block, home to the Tides Renewal Centre, on the edge of Gastown in Vancouver, Canada.

A key objective of the store is to create a unique experience for our customers and clients, from the interior design of the store and studio, to the industrial design of lines for the p+a furniture label, to graphic design and branding, to carefully-selected companions.

concept
Store visitors feel a creative vibe as they step into 159 West Hastings at the Flack Block. The retail area features p+a furniture elements and carefully-selected companions that share the p+a aesthetic and values. A “see+touch+feel” panel of material samples and product cut sheets also awaits the curious. Descriptive cards accompany all products, providing details such as the materials and finishes, a sustainability scorecard and care instructions to help customers make thoughtful choices – buy less, and buy better. The store will also act as a rotating gallery featuring local artists.

The intermediary zone contains the design library. For those who need to see to believe, this area provides a variety of lighting conditions and facilitates playing with colours and textures. From here, a glazed partition allows a glimpse of the studio and expresses the concept of transparency through the design process.

Through this space, p+a aspires to raise the bar for retail environments with sustainable solutions for home+work+play. This prototype is the first of several stores/design studios envisioned in major city centers over the next 5-7 years.
 

green initiatives
p+a’s green initiatives were implemented using the LEED® categories as a guideline – Sustainable Sites, Energy & Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation & Design Process.

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