OPEN HOUSE - A Case Study
We want to give you a glimpse into what the creative process looks like at IntrusiveThoughts!
For more details and photos of this project, you can go here, or see the project featured on Designboom
Pyperbleu Collective is an artist-run retail and community space owned by Pyper Bleu, a NYC-based artist and content creator.
Pyper would eventually like to reimagine the whole store. During our first meeting, we agreed that, as the first phase of the project, we would focus on redesigning the checkout counter.
(Taking field measurements - Image courtesy of Pyper Bleu)
The idea was for the checkout counter to be reimagined as a spatial installation: something movable that could also double as a display fixture when Pyperbleu takes it to pop-ups outside of the store. It should also begin to establish a visual language that could inform the future redesign of the store.
After that meeting, we got really excited and went back to our studio to develop LOTS of sketches!
A few weeks later, we met with Pyper to present three preliminary ideas. This is a crucial part of our process: we use these early ideas to deepen the creative conversation. We got feedback from Pyper not only about the practical aspects of each proposal, but also about her emotional reactions to the different design directions. What was she most excited about? What felt intuitively right for the brand? What didn't?
(First design meeting - Image courtesy of Pyper Bleu)
From this meeting, we decided to pursue the Open House Option, which was inspired by the idea of an open domestic facade. We developed the design further. At the same time, we reached out to potential fabricators for a rough cost estimate.
A few weeks later, the design was finalized. The fabrication cost, however, was higher than we had hoped.
At IntrusiveThoughts, we are very committed to bringing our designs to life. We started to look for alternative ways to build this (it’s one of our core beliefs that, “to have a creative practice, one must practice creatively!”). We reached out to various CNC fabrication shops around the city to compare quotes. In the end, we decided to work with NYC Resistor to CNC all of the wood pieces, and then assemble the counter ourselves in our studio. This allowed us to bring the fabrication cost down significantly and gave us more control over several more customized aspects of the design.
After weeks of hard work, we were ready to deliver the design!
(Install day - Image courtesy of Pyper Bleu)
If you’d like to hear this story from Pyper’s POV, check out her vlog here!
This is just one example of how we work with our clients. Every project is unique, and every collaboration takes a different path.
As a multidisciplinary practitioner and a licensed architect, Paul has worked on projects ranging from ground-up architecture to experimental installations, while Amanda has worked across creative direction, brand identity, visual communication, product design, and immersive retail environments.
If you are wondering whether we are a good fit for a project you have in mind, REACH OUT! We’d love to chat.