The entirely transparent façade of the high-end flagship store of Chanel on Amsterdam’s upmarket shopping street, PC Hooftstraat, uses glass bricks, glass windows frames and glass architraves in a way to evoke the vernacular of the area with the goal to maintain the character of the site. The 620 m2 of retail and 220 m2 of housing unites the ambition of Amsterdam to have large distinctive flagship stores without compromising the historical ensemble. The Dutch firm MVRDV uses durable glass bricks that replicate the original terracotta brick façade, held together by high-strength glue. Charming and 100% recyclable material.
