Chocolate Bank

counter CHOCOLATE BANK SPECIALTY STORE

Crystal Mall, Burnaby, BC

1999 Completion

CHOCOLATE BANK was a new 500 sq. ft store specialized in Belgium and Swiss import chocolate, located near the main stairway entry of Crystal Shopping Mall. The store had a trapezoidal shaped plan with a column behind one of the display window. The left wall had a bank of windows that allows ample natural light, while the back wall was almost fully glazed all across. Because of its strategic location near the main stair entry with the roof patio beyond, the store unique proportion and plenty of natural lighting, our concept was to design a ”passage” shopping area with an outdoor feeling that seems as a continuation of the main stair entry. On one side was a wall of display glass shelves with a “theater” backdrop laminated with painter palette pattern, and an angled overhang above for added spotlighting. A counter aligning with the different geometries of the store was located at the back. A “chocolate slab” wall/column/display was used to disguise the column behing the display window. An European stone look porcelain tiles was used for the flooring, with a triangular strip paved with dark slate broken to irregular pieces, and embedded with tiny golden mosaic. A little bistro style table and chairs were placed at the back corner.