Pinkeye's Shoe Class: A Sneaker Store with a Classroom Twist

Reviving Old School Charm in Retail Design

The inspiration for Shoe Class came from the store's existing floor tiles, which reminded the design team of an old classroom. This sparked the idea of using old school furniture as display and shop fitting structures. The result is a creative and flexible wall system, featuring climbing frames from gym class with simple shelves and hooks.

The classroom desks, complete with original Tipp-Ex and marker tags, serve as displays for old-school sneakers. In the skate section of the shop, chemistry class flasks have been repurposed as unique heads for caps. The design is not only nostalgic but also functional and visually appealing.

Pinkeye faced a significant challenge in the form of a tight budget. However, they turned this constraint into an opportunity by sourcing furniture from an abandoned school building. This not only saved costs but also added authenticity to the classroom-inspired design.

The 80 sq.m store space has been effectively utilized to create a hip sneaker store that is the talk of the town. The design's unique properties and strengths lie in its creative use of old school furniture and the nostalgic atmosphere it creates, which sets it apart from typical retail stores.

The Shoe Class design is a testament to Pinkeye's innovative approach to design. Despite budget constraints, they managed to create a unique and engaging retail space that resonates with customers. Their success is evident in the Platinum A' Design Award they received, which recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs.