Prada Beverly Hills

The design for this Prada store is unique among the shops of Rodeo Drive in that it does not have the traditional storefront enclosure of glass and mannequins. Instead, the entire wall facing the street drops into the basement to give maximum entry, most of which is a grand staircase ascending to the second floor. A curtain of air at the entry keeps the air temperature at a reasonable level. The inner walls of the second level are lined with porous green resin devloped specifically for the store. About 4 inches thick, this wall was constructed by pouring resin into panels filled with wax balls. After the resin had dried, the wax was melted away to create the porous look. The store also boasts some technological innovations such as cameras and an LCD screen in the changing rooms, allowing the customer to see themselves from all angles.