Danielé Perna Designs Creates Hip Space for High-Fashion Crowd in Philadelphia
(Columbia, MD) August 17, 2006 - Nemetschek North America announced today that New York City-based interior design firm Daniel© Perna Designs created a striking environment of contrasts that defies the laws of physics for The Shoe Lounge using VectorWorks. The Shoe Lounge is the latest retail establishment to open on Walnut Street in Philadelphia's Center City, the city's high-fashion row. The hip space houses some of today's hottest designer shoe labels, including Prada, Mui Mui, Marni, and Christian Louboutin, and showcases the work of New York artist Doze Green.
Principal Designer Daniel© Perna used VectorWorks for every aspect of the design and presentation process, including 3D renderings, elevations, and construction drawings.
"The 3D renderings we generated in VectorWorks helped our client visualize the design and realize the impact and marketability of various aspects," says Perna. "We created top-notch presentations that conveyed the complexity of what, at first glance, appeared to be a simple design. Despite the complexity and although the design for this project underwent numerous revisions, we were still able to quickly and cost-effectively keep the project moving thanks to VectorWorks. And, being able to e-mail contractors construction drawings made a world of difference."
Perna created an environment of contrasts to instantly engage the consumer upon entering the retail space. He was inspired by the concept that the bulky second-floor loft housing the shoe lounge was "floating" above the first floor. The designer used heavy materials in weightless applications, simultaneous cool and warm lighting, and conceptual compositions to defy the principals of physics. Perna designed a sculptural wall, featuring tiles by Mio, monolithic in size that appears to be suspended in the space. The wall has rhythm and pattern-soft three-dimensional curves-within a sharp, right-angled frame. The entire sculpture is set within the frame of the architecture that Perna created to pronounce the concept. He used warm back lighting and cool front lighting to enhance the illusion.
"In situations where complex designs were repeated, such as in the floating tile wall, VectorWorks allowed us to create one element, copy it quickly, and drop it into the elevation," says Perna. "When lighting is such a critical part of the design, having a tool like RenderWorks is invaluable. It really gave us the opportunity to push the play between warm and cool lighting to create the impact we wanted. The ability to import images from Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop was another feature we took advantage of during the design process."
The space also features polished steel display shelves that appear weightless as they "float" in 7 to 12 foot lengths along two walls. Perna also designed a "shoe vault" where he replaced the right-angle corner with a soft curve that commands attention, and a stepped crown molding that provides a sense of delicacy. The aluminum paint finish makes the structure look like it is actually made of aluminum or even polished steel. The "shoe vault," which appears massive in size, rests suspended above the stairwell.
"VectorWorks is an extremely efficient, complex, and savvy design tool that has actually had an impact on my evolutionary process as a designer," says Perna. "It gives me the ability to work much more quickly, which, in turn quickens my cerebral process."
For more information, visit Daniel© Perna Designs at: www.danielepernadesigns.com
Nemetschek North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of European software giant Nemetschek AG. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek N.A. has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. An all-in-one solution that's easier to learn and use and more cost-effective than most other CAD programs, VectorWorks is ideal for firms that don't have unlimited IT budgets. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net
Michelle Ervin
Marketing Manager
Nemetschek North America
7150 Riverwood Drive
Columbia, MD 21046 USA
www.nemetschek.net
410-290-5114, ext 719
mervin@nemetschek.net
