The shop windows and façade are the calling card of a business and crucial for the perception of the whole brand. This is especially true for stylish sectors such as young fashion – and even more so, when the shop is on the prestigious Meir in Antwerp.
The exterior of its Belgian branch was therefore extremely important for Spanish company Bershka. Modern aesthetics with a sophisticated vibe that would draw attention to the window dressing were just as important as durability and resistance.
The architects of Boud Rombouts and the façade specialists from Apers & Partners chose Hi-Macs solid surface material. The non-porous, homogeneous surface is high quality and smooth, but at the same time robust, weather-resistant, impact-resistant and easy to clean. Even graffiti can be removed without leaving a trace. The Hi-Macs sheets are also lightweight, strong and can be fixed invisibly.
The real challenge of this project, however, was the preservation – the Bershka store consists of a total of five buildings (Meir 37-39 and Lange Klarenstraat 22-26). The corner house Meir 39 and the building Lange Klarenstraat 22 belong to the cultural heritage of the Flemish Region, while on the corner there is also an historic Madonna statue. During the renovation of this historic building, therefore, not only was the city of Antwerp involved, but also the Flanders region.
The brief was to keep some Listed façade parts but also include some modern, new pieces. For the relationship between old and new, Hi-Macs proved to be the perfect material: The Hi-Macs acrylic stone slabs in Alpine White have a similar appearance to the historic facades. With their glossy white finish, thermal plasticity and the possibility of seamless joints, the slabs could be moulded and arranged to resemble the components of the original façade parts.
The front window, meanwhile, is edged with antracite plates of Hi-Macs (Steel Grey), forming a contrast to the ancient architectural elements and give the displays inside a proper framework. The combination of history, hi-tech and young fashion for Bershka in this setting has been made possible using the unique properties of Hi-Macs, achieving the perfect blend of old and new.
