< Previous70 commercialinteriordesign.comWorld ViewFebruary 202571 commercialinteriordesign.comWorld View E l Departamento has unveiled its latest creation in Madrid, a striking store that embodies the brand’s unique duality. Spearheaded by architects Alberto Eltini and Marina Martín, the new space represents the studio’s distinctive approach to fusing aesthetics with purpose, delivering a retail experience that balances innovation and authenticity. The space’s conceptual and material approach redefi nes the brand’s retail model through a composition that mirrors the structure and functionality of cerebral hemispheres, creating an immersive experience where design and functionality seamlessly merge. Located at 2 Fuencarral Street in central Madrid, this Siroko store embodies El Departamento’s profound exploration of translating the brand’s dual essence into a 110-square-metre space. Drawing inspiration from adventure and the balance between logic and intuition, the project divides the area into two distinct environments, representing the brain’s hemispheres through careful colour selection. This layout leads to a transitional corridor housing the fi tting rooms, designed as a connecting space that refl ects the integration of both hemispheres during the REM sleep phase. Under the creative direction of Alberto Eltini and Marina Martín, the El Departamento team has brought Siroko’s duality to life through two contrasting zones in both tone and concept. This structure stems from El Departamento’s comprehensive research into the brand’s core values, addressing both commercial requirements and Siroko’s fundamental essence: the balance between rational and emotional, mountain and urban landscapes. Each space offers visitors an immersive journey into the brand’s identity. The left hemisphere zone, embodying logic, 72 commercialinteriordesign.comWorld View analysis, and sequential thinking, features a black colour scheme that conveys precision and linearity. Dark tones and black metal create a technical atmosphere, highlighting the durability and specialised nature of Siroko products. In contrast, the opposite area, inspired by the right hemisphere’s association with intuition, creativity, and freedom, showcases vibrant red tones. This dynamic environment encourages exploration and adventure, aligning with the brand’s innovative spirit. A striking bicolour exposed metal structure serves as the centrepiece, connecting both zones. This versatile system not only meets display and storage requirements but also unifi es the contrasting atmospheres. The structure extends upward to the ceiling, where a metal grid reveals industrial elements, reinforcing the brand’s identity. The chromatic interplay, combined with consistent metalwork throughout, emphasises the conceptual contrast while ensuring a fl uid, continuous spatial experience. The journey concludes in a corridor featuring neutral, soft tones, a peaceful transition between the two hemispheres that house the fi tting rooms. Conceived to represent the REM phase, this space bridges the brains opposite sides, achieving conceptual harmony through bright, welcoming design. Warm stuccoed walls and carefully controlled lighting create an intimate atmosphere, offering privacy and comfort for an enhanced shopping experience. Through this innovative design, El Departamento has elevated the traditional retail space concept. The Siroko store transforms technical elements and materiality into a visual and spatial language, allowing customers to experience the brand’s duality and the connection between product and design. •73 commercialinteriordesign.comWorld ViewFebruary 202574 commercialinteriordesign.comFebruary 2025Design Icon AT MAISON & Objet, Laerre Trunks unveiled a trunk collection, reminding us of the enduring allure of journeys, both real and imagined. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of travel, Laerre infuses each piece with timeless elegance, combining premium materials like supple leather, polished metal accents and hand-fi nished woodwork. Yet, these trunks are not mere echoes of the past. Laerre’s designs incorporate innovative features that cater to today’s discerning traveller, hidden compartments, modular interiors and bespoke fi nishes tailored to individual preferences. The standout of the showcase is the signature New York Trunk that melds minimalism with bold, architectural details, evoking the nostalgia of grand voyages while championing the sophistication of contemporary design. The luggage trunk has been championed by brands like Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Rimowa. Louis Vuitton transformed trunks into icons of elegance, pioneering fl at-top designs for easy stacking, and a revolution in functionality that remains unmatched. Goyard, with its enigmatic heritage and hand- painted motifs, elevated the trunk to a symbol of exclusivity amongst those who could afford it. Rimowa, in contrast, reimagined the trunk for the modern era, introducing lightweight aluminium cases that blended industrial aesthetics with durability. But was it mere utility, or a symbol of humanity's ceaseless motion? The trunk travelled with us, from gilded carriages to steamships slicing the Atlantic. It held the scent of adventure, the dust of distant lands, a time capsule sealed with rivets and ambition. The trunk carried the stories of the journeys it accompanied, witnessing both the mundane and the monumental, silently marking our passage through time and space. Yet, this reverence for trunks often teeters between homage and exploitation. Are these brands preserving the art of travel or commodifying nostalgia? In this age of wheels and polycarbonate shells, has the luggage trunk lost its soul? Or does its charm endure? Perhaps, like us, the trunk evolves, its form updated and reinvented for the new world. • THE NEW YORK TRUNK An ode to the novelty of trans-Atlantic travel, tipped hats at the door, and a meticulously curated sense of styleNext >