São Paulo – Sustainable retailer Conceito ê has opened a flagship store in response to Brazil's rising rates of deforestation.
The store's design, which pays homage to nature’s resilience, is a timely comment on the detrimental environmental impact that the Bolsonaro government has on the Amazon rainforest. By imagining how the mall could look in 100 years, design studio Pistache Ganache took inspiration from post-apocalyptic ruins.
‘The idea of nature taking over the place is the opposite concept of the present political scenario,’ says André Romitelli, partner and designer at Pistache Ganache. As the central element of the store, the garden was inspired by French gardener Gilles Clement's concept of a garden in motion. Most of the plants chosen are known as pioneer plants – hardy species which are the first to colonise previously disrupted or damaged eco-systems.
In our interview with slow retail expert Rebekah Matheny, we consider how physical retail is key to conscious consumption.