‘Creative spirit of Mumbai’ design foundation for India’s first Apple store

UK studio Foster + Partners has unveiled the first flagship Apple Store in India, which has a ceiling made from 450,000 pieces of oak representing the ‘creative spirit of Mumbai’; the wooden tiles are intended to resemble the work of rattan weavers.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Apple on their first flagship store in India,” said Foster + Partners head of studio Stefan Behling.

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“Apple BKC embodies the creative spirit of Mumbai,” he continued. “The design incorporates finely crafted elements, locally sourced materials and lush greenery – to stimulate the senses and lift the spirits.”

The triangular-shaped store is enclosed by two eight-metre-high glass walls that allow natural light into its double-height interior.

Within the main space, display tables show Apple’s products while two rows of ficus trees placed in planters double as seating next to the windows.

A feature staircase made of stainless steel with two 14-meter-long glass balustrades leads to a mezzanine level overlooking this central space.

According to the studio, the store’s interior was designed as “a symbiosis of Apple’s unique design approach with finely crafted elements and locally sourced materials”.

The walls of the store, which were made from stone sourced from Rajasthan, have a fine grain that is intended to evoke the texture of luxurious Georgette fabric.

Above the store and extending to form a canopy around it is a timber ceiling, which is made with 450,000 hand-crafted oak elements that are formed into 1,000 triangular tiles.

The tiles were arranged to resemble a lattice pattern that was informed by the work of rattan weavers in Mumbai.

“At Apple, our customers are at the centre of everything we do, and our teams are excited to celebrate this wonderful moment with them as we open our first retail store in India,” said Apple’s senior vice president of retail Deirdre O’Brien.

“Apple BKC is a reflection of Mumbai’s vibrant culture and brings together the best of Apple in a beautiful, welcoming space for connection and community.”

Images courtesy of Foster + Partners via Dezeen