Architecture

India's first Apple Store topped by complex 450,000-piece timber ceiling

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Apple BKC is defined by its stunning timber ceiling, which extends outwards onto the store's shading canopy
Apple
Apple BKC is defined by its stunning timber ceiling, which extends outwards onto the store's shading canopy
Apple
Apple BKC's handcrafted timber ceiling is made from approximately 450,000 individual wooden pieces
Apple
Apple BKC features a mezzanine area which is reached by a large stainless steel staircase
Apple
Apple BKC's interior design is broken up by greenery and large stone pillars
Apple
Apple BKC reduces its grid-based power needs with a solar panel array that's attached to the exterior of the building
Apple
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Apple has opened its first retail store in India. Located in Mumbai, Apple BKC incorporates sustainably sourced and local materials, and features a light-filled interior that's defined by an impressive handcrafted timber ceiling.

Designed by the tech giant's longstanding architect of choice, Foster + Partners, Apple BKC's name is a reference to the larger Bandra Kurla Complex that it's part of. The store features a sleek exterior that provides generous 8-m (26-ft)-tall glazing, maximizing natural light inside.

Its complex patterned ceiling is inspired by the work of Mumbai's cane and rattan weavers. It's made from sustainably sourced wood and forms a triangular shape. Each wooden tile is made from 408 pieces of wood, with a total of almost 450,000 individual pieces. Other eye-catching design elements include two stone walls and a stainless steel staircase that connects to a cantilevered mezzanine area. Stone pillars and greenery also break up the interior.

Apple BKC's interior design is broken up by greenery and large stone pillars
Apple

"The store is a symbiosis of Apple’s unique design approach with finely crafted elements and locally sourced materials," said Foster + Partners. "The sense of continuity between the interior and exterior spaces is emphasized by a hand-crafted timber ceiling that extends beyond the glass facade to the underside of the exterior canopy."

Its interior layout follows a similar blueprint to other Apple Stores and contains the Forum which hosts a learning and event space, the Genius Grove, where customers can get support, and large numbers of wooden tables for displaying Apple's wares.

The building has received the LEED Platinum green building standard and in addition to its focus on natural light, it reduces its grid-based power needs with a solar panel array that's installed on the exterior.

Apple BKC was officially opened by Tim Cook on April 18 and will soon be followed by a second Apple Store in India, which is due to open in New Delhi in the coming days.

Sources: Apple, Foster + Partners

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3 comments
Fifi Holeson
Damn, that ceiling is a lot of work. Reminds me of Kumiko patterns.
A.L.
“Other eye-catching design elements include two stone walls and a stainless steel staircase that connects to a cantilevered mezzanine area. Stone pillars and greenery also break up the interior.”

Since the photo reveals that the mezzanine is tied to those three pillars, which clearly support it at its outer edge, it’s not cantilevered at all. For it to be cantilevered, the entire weight of the mezzanine would have to be borne by spars thrusting out from the wall, and not those columns.

You need to read up on exactly what “cantilevered” means architecturally.
dcris
Ohhhhhh....so that's why Apple is soooo high priced.