STUDIO358 at KaDeWe, Berlin
Within the iconic confines of Berlin’s KaDeWe, RHO Architekten have designed a series of three refined treatment spaces for beauty brand STUDIO358. Situated on the third floor in the newly developed beauty department—adjacent to the escalator by OMA—the project translates compact retail units into highly distinctive, atmospheric environments, each tailored to a specific service: nails, lashes, and pedicure.
At the forefront is the Nail Bar, located at the end of a corridor with limited spatial depth. To enhance its visibility and spatial presence, the architects introduced a floor-to-ceiling bronzed mirror, expanding the space visually while reflecting the tones and material palette of KaDeWe. A six-meter-long, semi-circular counter in brushed stainless steel serves as the central element, integrating technical infrastructure such as dust extraction and UV lighting. The mirrored surface doubles the object’s presence, reinforcing its sculptural form while maintaining visual lightness through layered horizontal detailing. Plecto-upholstered bar stools and a custom light fixture echo the material language and emphasize the zone’s identity. A soft-contoured carpet by EGE defines the space acoustically and formally.
Behind the Nail Bar, the Lashes area is spatially separated by a central cashier station. The segmented mirror motif continues here, paired with indirect backlighting to create a gentle luminosity. A curtain system in a brown-lilac Svensson textile envelops the walls, improving acoustics and establishing intimacy. Integrated behind the fabric is a custom cabinet wall, flush with the architecture, offering concealed storage without visual disruption.
Located deeper within the VIP area of KaDeWe, the Pedicure zone presents itself as a secluded, sculptural intervention. A raised stainless steel platform, accessed by monolithic steps, sits atop EGE carpeting that extends from the corridor into the space. Wrapped entirely in a rosé-colored Svensson curtain, the space offers complete privacy. Horizontal lighting contrasts the vertical fabric texture, while stainless steel washbasins with pull-out taps, integrated storage drawers, and lounge chairs by Jotex complete the high-function, high-comfort environment.
Together, the three zones embody Studio358’s brand ethos—precise, elegant, and spatially distinct—while seamlessly integrating into the larger architectural narrative of KaDeWe.
