SKS has opened its third US showroom at The MART, the Chicago landmark that’s long been the epicenter of design in the midwest. Conceived by architect and Interior Design Hall of Fame inductee Piero Lissoni, the nearly 9,000-square-foot space marks a significant new chapter for SKS, the luxury home appliance brand from LG Electronics.
“The MART is an icon of Chicago architecture, a fitting venue for our first SKS showroom accessible to the public,” said SKS Vice President Randy Warner. “Our new experience and design center in this re-energized design mecca offers consumers a unique opportunity to interact hands-on with luxury appliances, accelerating the momentum for the SKS brand in America’s heartland. We’ve created an incredible space that showcases our commitment to precision, versatility and passion for today’s forward-thinking Technicurean home chefs – exemplified by groundbreaking features like our built-in sous vide and advanced induction cooking.”
Designing the SKS Showroom in Chicago
Known as “Maestro Elegantissimo” (Master of Extreme Detail), Piero Lissoni was commissioned by SKS for the project based on how his approach to bold innovation and purposeful design, grounded in a dedication to precision, performance and passion, aligns with the SKS philosophy.
In his remarks at the showroom opening, Lissoni described his operating design concept as a dynamic set.
“For me, the spaces where design pieces are presented are like theaters where the product takes the leading role, an actor moving over the set. When I began to think of an architecture for the SKS showroom, I imagined it as a stage where the scenery periodically shifts and the products are able to change roles. The beauty of this project lies in the fact that all the products of SKS can take center stage; every space is a story that can be illuminated. On the one hand we show the role that each product plays within its own particular setting, and on the other, we tell the story of the extremely sophisticated, wide-ranging and distinct collection of an international brand leader.”
Construction Challenges
One of the earliest challenges was determining how to best utilize the two-story footprint. The team initially explored filling in the lower level to create a single, continuous floor, but ultimately chose to preserve the existing structure to maintain the architectural integrity of the space and allow for more dynamic storytelling through separate zones.
The team also navigated the typical complexities that come with working in a historic building, from bringing in new utilities to accommodate advanced cooking technologies to reinforcing areas for heavy appliances.
Five full kitchens are presented on a grand scale with exaggerated heights and dramatic 20-foot-long islands. More than 50 appliances, including SKS’ innovative pro ranges and rangetops with built-in sous vide, advanced induction cooktops for rapid and precise heating, and refrigerators and wine storage solutions, are integrated throughout.
Beyond the culinary focus, the showroom also integrates a custom bar vignette, The Bar, and a Technicurean Living space. Additionally, a spacious laundry room is featured, complete with a custom closet and shelving system designed by Porro, alongside LG’s suite of laundry solutions.
Marketing Meets Art
In the showroom, ultra-large, micro-LED display LG MAGNITs display visually immersive and sensorial video presentations – created by media artist KAMW – that convey the brand philosophy in a sophisticated, poetic manner.
KAMW drew inspiration from the interplay between technology, time and the sensory nature of cooking. Rather than highlighting the artist himself, each piece was designed to bring forward the brand’s visual identity, interpreted through rhythm, texture and storytelling.
In the heart of the showroom, a particularly captivating experience features a 20-foot dining table that utilizes projection mapping to create dynamic light and visual effects around the food during culinary events.
KAMW’s four original works reinforce Lissoni’s vision of the showroom as a “theater” where products and experiences can shift roles. Together, they created a dialogue between architecture and media art, where technology enriches the sensory experience without overshadowing the presence of the appliances.
Sources
Design: Piero Lissoni; Photography: SKS; Appliances: SKS; Audio/Visual Equipment: LG Electronics; Audio/Video Content Design: KAMW; Cabinets, Countertops, Faucets, Sinks: Arclinea; Furnishings: Arclinea, Porro, Lualdi, Il Marmo; Lighting: Viabizzuno (chandelier)
