Being asked to work on a project in Paris is a designer’s dream. The light, the architecture, the art—the stuff of inspiration, the possibility for greatness. So when Abercrombie & Fitch requested my assistance and expertise for their high-profile Champs Elysees flagship, my professional aspirations soared. It would be an extraordinary opportunity, with challenges of equal magnitude. The audacious concept of A&F CEO Michael Jeffries and architect Annabel Selldorf called for the primary entrance to the new store at the rear of the building, with the garden playing a key role in the overall experience. The existing “garden” was little more than hedges bordering an endless expanse of granite paving—the driveway of the former occupant. The new design had to invoke a sense of luxury and intrigue, befitting the grand interiors and compelling hordes of shoppers
to their destination. I took inspiration from the great gardens within and outside the city: the perfectly pleached Lindens of Les Halles, the luxurious lawn of the Tuileries and the endless Hornbeam allees of Versailles. Over the course of two years with monthly travel to Paris (and the SkyMiles to prove it), I worked with the A&F team from America, architects from France and landscape contractors from Italy. Our varying professional obligations caused occasional differences—maintaining the quality of the design within the confines of the budget, resolving horticultural realities with structural requirements, and respecting the practicalities of future and ongoing maintenance. But our common goal bridged our cultural and professional gaps, and the daily queues outside the store signify our success.
An elaborate Parisian gate marks the entrance to the garden, further complemented by handsome A&F greeters.
An allee of hornbeams lines the entrance path to the rear of the building and the entrance of the store.
With the lansdcapers, I located each hornbeam exactly .60 meters apart. An 8mm thick steel edge separates lawn from limestone gravel.
At the end of the allee, shoppers arrive at the entrance forecourt, framed by boxwood and filled with lawn panels.
The main door's square mirrors inspired the square panels of lawn. The boxed Lindens accentuate the verticality of the door.
The doors open to reveal a hand-painted mural.
The varying shades and textures of green are reflected within the mirrored panels.
The verdant volumes create a sculptural effect that is enhanced by the three-story green wall of English ivy.
Layers of boxwoods, hornbeams and ivy
Mechanical and structural necessities are cleverly concealed within the design.
Planes and volumes of green are enhanced by the contrasting crushed limestone paving.
credits
Quincy Hammond for Hollander Design - Landscape Architect and Project Manager 2007-2010
Edmund Hollander - Supervising Landscape Architect 2007-2010
Quincy Hammond - Landscape Architect and Maintenance Advisor, 2010-2014
Annabelle Selldorf - Architect
Gruppo Mati - Landscape Contractor
Lauren Coleman - Photography
