The RK Apothecary space before the redesign was small and dense with structural and mechanical elements that could not be altered. The LADG’s design had to respond to the existing interior because the client did not have the luxury of gutting it and beginning fresh. The double-height ceilings required them to develop hanging lighting fixtures to activate the space. Given the constraints, The LADG experimented with water filled ice bags – reminiscent of those used by British nurses to sooth the fever of an ailing patient in a 1950′s film.

They observed how the bags slumped, folded and wallowed around obstacles. The displays were designed to imitate the posture of ice bags in order to navigate through difficult fits between columns and oddly planned corners.The pragmatic problems served as a point of entry to design. They drew parallels between the large display “pods” and the anatomy of fruit RK Apothecary is a spatially efficient and visually engaging retail space. The product is taken off of the shelves and displayed on a series “outré fruit” tables so the customer can engage with it.

The LADG (The Los Angeles Design Group, LLC) is a full-service architecture and design firm. Founded in 2005 by Claus Benjamin Freyinger and Andrew Holder, the firm has been recognized as among the most successful and innovative young design practices in Southern California. The firm specializes in contemporary design and operates at all scales from buildings to interiors to furniture. Built projects include RK Apothecary, Mercantile Lofts, and Surefoot New York, and are located in Oregon, California, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, New York, British Columbia, and the United Kingdom (London).

http://theladg.com