Apple has debuted a series of new interior features at its latest store on San Francisco's Union Square, designed with UK architecture firm Foster + Partners (+ slideshow).
Opening tomorrow, the store was designed by Apple's teams – led by chief design officer Jonathan Ive, and senior vice president of retail and online stores Angela Ahrendts – along with Foster + Partners.
Apple Union Square is fronted by 42-foot (12.8-metre) sliding glass doors that form part of a fully glazed wall facing Post Street.
"We have a deep commitment to the cities we work in, and are aware of the importance that architecture plays in the community," said Ive, who recently commented that fewer designers are interested in how things are made.
"It all starts with the storefront — taking transparency to a whole new level — where the building blends the inside and the outside, breaking down barriers and making it more egalitarian and accessible."
Related story: Apple trademarks "distinctive design" of its stores
Inside, the building is supported by a giant steel truss structure that bridges over the basement ballroom of the neighbouring Grand Hyatt hotel.
A spine runs down the centre of the space, anchoring a cantilevered mezzanine floor that divides the tall volume. White ceiling panels that illuminate at night are located under the roof and the mezzanine, which tapers from the middle to just one foot (30.5 centimetres) deep at the edges.
Two glass stairways, fixed with metal "pucks" to create the appearance of floating treads, are located at either end of the store and lead to the upper level.
The project also involved the revamp of a public plaza to the rear, accessed by another set of sliding glass doors. The design was revised in 2013 after a backlash against its disregard of the Ruth Asawa fountain – an important heritage feature in San Francisco – which has been given a new setting on the steps leading down to Stockton Street.
The plaza has public seating and Wi-Fi, a 50-foot (15.2-metre) green wall, and will host regular acoustic performances.
"This is an incredible site on Union Square and a chance to create a new public plaza," said Foster + Partners architect Stefan Behling. "It is possible to experience Apple's extraordinary products and services while taking in the buzzing Union Square on one side and relaxing in the contemplative quiet of the new plaza on the other."
Foster + Partners has overseen the design of several Apple stores worldwide, including branches in Istanbul and Hangzhou. The firm, led by architect Norman Foster, is also working on the vast Apple Campus 2 in Cupertino.
This latest store has five new design features, which Apple plans to roll out to other branches internationally. Along with The Plaza, these include The Avenue – a display area for accessories along the central spine wall.
A new learning environment called The Forum occupies the centre of the mezzanine, against a large video wall that is visible from Union Square.
Tree-filled planters created by Fosters and Apple's industrial design team double as seating at the Genius Grove, where experts answer customers' tech issues.
Tucked behind the green wall, The Boardroom provides a place for local entrepreneurs and enterprises to meet.
The store is powered by 100 percent renewable energy, including power produced by photovoltaic panels integrated into the roof.
Apple's original San Francisco store opened on Stockton Street in 2004. The tech giant's first two retail outlets were located in Virginia and California's Glendale, both inaugurated spring 2001.
"Fifteen years ago today Apple opened its first two stores and we're thrilled to mark the occasion with the opening of Apple Union Square in San Francisco," said Ahrendts. "We are not just evolving our store design, but its purpose and greater role in the community as we educate and entertain visitors and serve our network of local entrepreneurs."
In 2013, Apple trademarked the "distinctive" interior design of its then 400 stores worldwide. The company was recently honoured with a preservation award for sensitively repurposing historic buildings.
The post Foster + Partners unveils Apple Union Square store in San Francisco appeared first on Dezeen.