Luxury diamond purveyor Graff engaged Spacesmith for owner's representative services in the design and construction of a new standalone boutique in Southern California's renowned South Coast Plaza. As part of a goal to expand US operations, Graff pivoted from its standard towards a more global design centered on the brand's three product pillars: high-end jewelry and single-stone pieces, diamond collections, and the newer bridal line. The 1,927 sf space includes zones for each pillar, as well as a VIP lounge and back-of-house. Spacesmith worked in close collaboration with the architect of record, Gruen Associates, and the design architect, Curiosity, to bring the store to life.
Spacesmith was tasked with observing field conditions and managing construction, acting as the client liaison, and ensuring that all installation ran in accordance with the design intent. Our team developed a schedule of weekly meetings with consultants across the globe, navigating several time zones. During these meetings, our team took minutes, tracked action items, and followed up on each deliverable to confirm completion.
Spacesmith coordinated delivery of all domestic and international shipments of custom goods to the site. A fully operational shopping center, South Coast Plaza presented many constraints that demanded precise scheduling of deliveries: Large crates needed to be transported overnight during non-business hours and installations needed to be carefully sequenced to avoid a buildup of deliveries on site, which offered minimal storage area.
The resulting store combines a mix of bespoke pieces produced around the world and installed by local and international teams alike. The store's facade features French luget limestone, custom patterned mullions, and mirrored glass with chiseled gold inlay depicting a starburst pattern. Upon entering, guests step into the bridal and diamond collections zone, which successfully highlights the brand's venture into this new market. Italian manufacturer Molteni was responsible for all showcases and furniture throughout the store, including custom boucle lounge seating and travertine tables.
Flanking either side of this central space are the VIP lounge and high jewelry room, both of which veer from the clean, gold aesthetic of the main space and feature a rich, jewel-toned green, a color Graff has adopted into its branding. A focal point of the high jewelry salon is a custom chandelier, built in the Czech Republic manufacturer Preciosa. All floor and wall finishes, including the resin panels in the portals that separate each zone, were fabricated by Cassina and installed by local contractors on site.