Andre Pepato and Mariana Schmidt designed a store for the Selo brand, in São Paulo, which follows the timeless design of the shoes
Submitted at Sep 3, 2020, 7:31 PM
Simplicity and contemporaneity are the values that guide the shoe brand Selo, created by the fashion designer couple Sandra Melo and Nathan Balbino in 1983. Together, they design shoes that deconstruct expectations: linear, monochromatic, original designs that transcend seasonality. typical of fashion. Therefore, it makes sense that the architecture of the main store, in São Paulo, also follows the same principles. The project with minimalist design was created by MNMA studio, founded by architects Andre Pepato and Mariana Schmidt. 
Just like the shoes, the 100 m² project is timeless and was conceived as a breath of fresh air and a counterpoint to the chaotic urban surroundings. To the visitor, the façade doesn't even look like a store; there are no traditional shop windows or advertisements that compromise the purity of the space. visual of white, the base color of all the environments. However, even with the aseptic atmosphere, the place is accessible to anyone thanks to its leveling with the sidewalk. 
There are not a large number of pieces in the furniture, just the essentials that guarantee functionality. The shoes, for example, are displayed on the staircase itself. Almost everything is white, however the textures are rich and diverse thanks to the rough nature of the cement and the geometric of wood. 
The ceiling was renovated to house a skylight, inspired by James Turrell. It illuminates the entire space and serves as a connection point with the outside, as well as sparking the reflection “that we share the same sky,” the studio said in an interview with ArchDaily. Another highlight is the flamed cement sink, made especially for the store.
