House of Balenciaga (HOB) is a conceptual project exploring the possibility of creating a "house" for a brand—a space designed to accommodate its core activities and needs under one architectural framework. The design draws inspiration from a musical experience during a Fadi Mohem set at Berghain, where the concept of syncopation unfolded in a profound, spatial way. Syncopation, the disruption of a rhythm with unexpected changes, becomes the guiding principle of this project, applied not only to music but to spatial perception.
In HOB, syncopation is embodied architecturally through the breaking of loops. For example, an ascending rhythm of increasing ceiling heights is abruptly interrupted by a massive void. This void forces a decision: to choose between two doors that lead to distinct sides of the building and into new sequences of spaces, creating a dynamic loop of experiences across different floors.
At the heart of this project lies an exploration of the blurred boundaries between music and architecture. We believe space transcends traditional categories—what we feel through music and what we experience in architecture are part of the same emotional and mental continuum.
The architecture embraces the brutal aesthetic of raw concrete and industrial materials, drawing parallels with Balenciaga’s bold and uncompromising visual identity. Together, they create a dialogue where the starkness of materials and the rawness of design amplify one another. The design also questions the concept of parasite architecture: how a structure can feed off a powerful entity while simultaneously nourishing and critiquing it. Balenciaga was chosen as the subject of this exploration because of the brand's paradoxical narrative—models enduring challenging scenarios, like carrying garbage bags through difficult settings, yet doing so with pride. This duality is reflected in the building’s spaces, such as a seemingly endless staircase designed for runway shows, where models can "suffer for what they love" under the gaze of power that both observes and consumes this struggle.
The House of Balenciaga is intentionally flexible, accommodating a variety of programs over time. It can function as a venue for video shoots, online or physical runway shows, galleries, shops, or even as an exclusive club with multiple floors and darkrooms and much more in the life time of this space.
Importantly, this project is purely conceptual and not intended for commercialization. It stands as an architectural exploration that opens the door to future projects, perhaps even in collaboration with Balenciaga—an idea we would enthusiastically welcome.
