Spacesmith was enlisted by Li & Fung Ltd. as the Executive Architect for the build out of 100,000 sf in the Empire State Building to house their footwear division Jimlar Corporation. Li & Fung Ltd. is a Hong Kong headquartered multinational group recognized as a global leader in consumer goods design, development, sourcing and distribution. Working with the Hong Kong based design architect and local engineers, key elements included work areas for the various brand designers, space for marketing, open plan workstations, private offices for executives, showrooms, a fitting studio, design library, video and teleconference rooms, office services areas, storage rooms, IDF rooms, copy rooms and pantries. This is the space where today’s top footwear engineers and designers are creating and developing world leading products.
The overall design palette takes inspiration from two of Jimlar’s licenses; Calvin Klein, predominantly white and gray, and references to the walnut wood used in the Frye flagship store in Soho for the reception area, meeting rooms and private offices. Furnishings are a sleek mix of contemporary and classic. Flooring is mostly polished concrete with soft carpet tile in open office areas. Original structural columns and core spaces remain, but there are some key additions: the HVAC system, low-energy lighting, and low-VOC finishes.
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