Hues is a clothing store located in Kottakkal, India.
The design responds to the evolving acceptance of individuality and imperfection in modern clothing, translating these values into an interior language that celebrates honesty, rawness, and incompleteness.
The project involved the renovation of an existing retail space that originally featured a conventional layout with a straight staircase and limited visual connectivity between floors. The primary design intervention was the creation of a double-height volume at the front of the store through a structural core-cut, transforming the arrival experience and establishing a sense of openness and grandeur. This gesture allows natural light to penetrate deeper into the interior while creating a dramatic visual connection between levels.
Drawing inspiration from Brutalism, the material palette embraces exposed concrete finishes, unfinished textures, and visibly expressed construction elements. Rather than concealing imperfections, the design highlights them, reflecting the philosophy behind the store's clothing collections—where individuality, character, and authenticity are valued over perfection.
At the heart of the space stands a custom-designed mild steel spiral staircase, which acts as the store's central sculptural element. Positioned within the newly created double-height volume, the staircase becomes the focal point immediately upon entry, guiding movement while creating a dynamic visual identity for the brand.
The Billing counter further reinforces the project's narrative of imperfection and reconstruction. Designed using reinforcement steel pipes, the counter incorporates a deliberately fragmented concrete form that appears broken and reassembled within a steel framework.
Throughout the store, furniture and display counters are crafted from exposed plywood without laminates, veneers, or decorative finishes. The material is left in its natural state, expressing its true texture and construction. This approach aligns with the overall design philosophy of material honesty, allowing each element to communicate its inherent character.
The fitting rooms are defined by rusted corrugated metal sheets protected with a clear sealant. The weathered surfaces introduce texture and depth while preserving the authenticity of the material. Their industrial aesthetic complements the exposed concrete and steel elements, contributing to a cohesive visual language throughout the project.
Lighting was developed as an integral architectural component rather than a purely functional necessity. Custom-designed light fixtures were strategically integrated into the interior to accentuate material textures, highlight circulation paths, and create a warm contrast against the otherwise raw and industrial palette.
Through its celebration of imperfection, exposed construction, and honest materials, the project transforms a conventional retail renovation into an immersive architectural experience that reflects contemporary attitudes toward fashion, individuality, and self-expression.
Architects - Spatial Project Project
Project - Hues clothing store
contractor - Pramod
Photographer - Amaan Mohammed
Lead Architects - Nabeel Rahim, Ishan Ahamed, Nusaif
Area -3000 sqft
