A stunning hand-painted tile mural graces the facade of this boutique in Miami’s Design District, crafted by the New York-based Sugarhouse Design and Architecture for the fashion label Cult Gaia.
Designers Jess and Jonathan Nahon expanded their collaboration with Cult Gaia’s founder, Jasmin Larian Hekmat, by creating a flagship store in Miami that resonates with both the brand’s identity and its vibrant surroundings.
Drawing inspiration from temple architecture, Larian Hekmat’s Persian roots, and notable historical designs, the duo transformed the 1,502-square-foot (140-square-meter) retail space, taking cues from local casitas. To adorn the gabled front, they enlisted artist Michael Chandler to produce a breathtaking mural composed of ceramic tiles.
The 1,800-piece Tree of Life mural is inspired by Henri Rousseau’s post-impressionist masterpiece, The Dream. “This hand-painted ceramic mural showcases a silhouetted tree with branches sprawling across the storefront, adorned with stylized flora, birds, and nymphs crowned with flowers,” explained Sugarhouse Design and Architecture.
Drenched in blue “lapis lazuli” tones reminiscent of Persian mosque decor, the artwork weaves together influences from Indian textiles and botanical illustrations. The facade features three arched openings that house windows and a prominent recessed entryway, complete with wood-framed glass doors that align perfectly with the store’s central axis.
The first of several interior spaces unfolds as an airy room, embellished with creamy Bianco Avorio limestone and Bianco Santa Caterina travertine. Unlacquered brass rods, echoing the elegance of Cult Gaia’s jewelry, hang from ceiling coves to showcase garments, while custom amorphous mirrors by New Vernacular Studio adorn the walls. On either side of the central axis, sandstone blocks are artfully arranged into vertical checkerboard patterns, creating gaps for displaying accessories.
The partitions create a cozy enclosure for the fitting rooms, designed to glow with light that filters through a translucent membrane and the grid openings. “These structures draw inspiration from ancient rock-cut cave temples, offering privacy while showcasing merchandise in their softly lit alcoves,” the team explained.
Beyond the fitting rooms lies a second, identical space, with a hidden bar concealed behind a brass door on the far wall. Each of the two main areas is crowned with a domed ceiling and features a seven-foot-wide oculus, echoing the architectural marvel of the Pantheon in Rome.
Beneath the first room stands a striking 12-foot-tall concrete sculpture of Gaia, the Greek goddess after whom the brand is named, crafted by artist Angela Larian, who is also the mother of Larian Hekmat. “This elongated, Giacometti-inspired female figure reaches skyward, contrasting with the nymphs adorning the facade. Her angular form is deliberate: much like the brand itself, she embodies composure, confidence, and control,” the team noted.
In the second room, a large banyan tree, reminiscent of the facade’s decorative elements, is nestled within a serpentine sofa designed by Brandi Howe.
“Much like the sacred tree in Buddhism, it beckons visitors to sit and find their own enlightenment within this fashion sanctuary,” the team concluded.