Moorish architecture and design is both distinct and influential, so much so that it's spread halfway across the world to inspire the new Knoll LA store. The furniture retail location, which is in West Hollywood, features successive arched entryways that characterize the art of the Iberian Moors, with specific inspiration from York Castle in Tangiers, Morocco.
In the early sixties, Yves Vidal, the president of Knoll International at the time, took ownership of York Castle, a crumbling fortress in Tangiers. There he staged what would become a famous display of furniture, itself inspired by Knoll's revolutionary decision to arrange its wares as they'd be placed in a home (as opposed to putting all the chairs in one room and all the tables in another). The Knoll LA store is thus directly inspired by that lineage.
Castle-Like Furniture Stores
The New Knoll LA Store is Based on York Castle in Morocco
Trend Themes
1. Moorish-inspired Architecture - Opportunity for furniture retailers to create unique store designs inspired by Moorish architecture.
2. Innovative Retail Store Layout - Potential for rearranging furniture in store displays to mimic how they would be placed in a home for a more personalized experience.
3. International Design Influences - Growing trend of incorporating design elements from different cultures and countries to create visually captivating retail spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Retail - Disruptive innovation opportunity for furniture retailers to create castle-like stores that offer a unique and immersive shopping experience.
2. Architecture and Interior Design - Potential for architects and interior designers to incorporate Moorish-inspired elements into their designs, creating visually stunning and culturally diverse spaces.
3. Tourism and Hospitality - Opportunity for hotels and resorts to draw inspiration from Moorish architecture to create captivating and exotic atmospheres for their guests.