Turning cathedral-like opulence on its head, Wick Architecture & Design partnered with LAND Design Studio to create a unique ambiance for ‘Stereoscope,’ a branded coffee shop in Newport Beach, California.
Coming from Texas-based client Granite properties, the designer’s mandate was to partner with Stereoscope Coffee and create a buzz with the design of a landmark coffee shop. Their canvas was a ground-level space, with an L-shape and 15’0 high ceilings.
Extensive world travellers, David Wick and Andrew Lindley drew inspiration from a recent trip to Italy where they came across Correggio’s Assumption of the Virgin, a 16th-century fresco adorning the dome of the Cathedral of Parma. Their idea was to translate the feeling of this work into a multi-dimensional experience that would capture the word ‘stereoscope,’ which itself is a precursor to modern 3D technology.
The work of Christy Lee Rogers, renowned for her unique underwater Renaissance and Barque style photography, seemed for the designers to capture the spirit of the Italian fresco they so admired. They thus approached Rogers to license a piece of her work, The Reunion of Cathryn Carrie and Jean, and transform it into a 3D experience.
After extensive study, the designers determined the strongest interpretation of Lee’s work in the space would be its application in colour to the ceiling, with the image gradating downwards and seemingly fading into the white of the walls.
To transfer the art to the ceiling, the design team worked in close collaboration with Big Visual Group, who developed a key for cutting the art into pieces, before printing the pieces onto 5-foot vinyl roll, with one-inch overlaps to work with. The design was also at this time refined so that patrons who opted not to wear 3D glasses would still have a beautiful and eclectic work of art to take in. Once completed, the vinyl rolls were applied to the ceiling like a wallpaper. Installation took less than a day.
Where the artwork fades into the white wall, at about 8 feet above the floor, Astro Globe lighting fixtures from Andrew Neyer’s Suff collection align to provide a strong, clear line. Lighting bends around the corners of the L-shaped space to accent the geometry.
A final accent, above the white oak bench seating, is shelving for 30 pairs of 3D glasses that allow visitors to take in the full grandeur of the work.
