Brazilian design studios Vaga Arquitetura and Atelier Pistache Ganache teamed up to create a “consumer-first” boutique for a mattress company in São Paulo, featuring gracefully curving coral walls. This innovative space, renovated in 2024, is situated at the end of a block in the vibrant Pinheiros neighborhood. Spanning 162 square meters (1,745 square feet), it serves as the flagship store for Zissou, a Brazilian startup known for its “mattresses in a box” and a range of sleep products.
The store’s exterior is striking, with a pink-toned fluted facade that envelops the ground level, highlighted by a large plate glass window at its center. Above, the second level showcases a clean white stucco finish, prominently displaying the brand’s sideways Z-shaped logo. The coral facade elegantly curves to create a welcoming corner entrance, while also forming a cozy front courtyard alongside the adjacent wall. To further define the space, the sidewalk pavers are painted a vibrant indigo, adding a playful touch to the overall design.
Inside, the three-color palette and soft curves continue to enchant visitors. The design team expressed their ambition to craft an immersive and sensory experience that seamlessly blends the online and offline shopping journeys, always prioritizing the customer. Drawing inspiration from the theme “Layers Between Sleeping and Living,” they introduced a horizon-like element using a coral pink membrane, which, combined with thoughtful lighting, symbolizes the connection between the sky and the earth, bridging the gap between sleep and daily life.
As guests navigate this fluid and inviting environment, they are encouraged to explore and engage with the unique offerings tailored to each product. The custom pink membrane not only reflects the softness and technology of Zissou’s mattresses but also serves to partition the linear space into smaller, intimate rooms arranged along a grid system, ensuring that each visit culminates in a distinctive and memorable journey.
The concept behind this design is to spark the curiosity of pedestrians strolling by, enticing them to step inside the store for a one-of-a-kind experience crafted specifically for them by Zissou’s team, explained Pedro Domingues, co-founder of VAGA Arquitetura. The vibrant coral walls contrast beautifully with the plush dark blue carpet, which customers encounter after removing their shoes upon entry. This thoughtful design guides visitors through the various spaces and ultimately leads them to the secluded Blue Room tucked away in the back corner, where they can enjoy an immersive experience complete with controlled sound, light, and temperature.
Pedro Faria, also a co-founder of VAGA Arquitetura, elaborated on the redesign, stating that the entire space was transformed to bring the store’s original vision to life. Each product is showcased in its own distinct environment, ensuring that every interaction offers a unique experience. The team took the bold step of dismantling the old wooden mezzanine, which opened up the interior to reveal a stunning white double-height ceiling that rises above the soft pink horizon line, creating an inviting sense of decompression.
An enclosed spiral staircase gracefully ascends to the upper level, where an additional retail space awaits, seamlessly connecting to a back terrace designed for hosting brand events. This thoughtful layout not only enhances the shopping experience but also fosters a vibrant community atmosphere, inviting customers to linger and engage with the brand in a meaningful way.