Dec 1, 2026
LOT-EK lectures at RIT Vignelli Center, Rochester
concept & vision
inspired by the existing Bal Harbor Shop in Florida, its modern, mid-century feeling and lush, long, green courtyard, Bal Harbour Shops/ACCESS is a transportable building conceived to provide a real BHS experience on the go. We replicate the black and white motif and the elegant, understated atmosphere
design & architecture
28 containers are organized in two long parallel volumes to capture an extensive garden—comprehensive of the signature species and water features with koi fish. This courtyard is flanked by pedestrian walkways as long shaded porticos, to visit and access the adjacent shops. We are inspired by the long row of palm trees and their shadows on the walls at BHS, and cut and paint the inner facades along the porticos in the shape of palm tree shadows, in direct relation to the garden, bringing BHS character to this new experience. A large monstera leaf marks the simple white volumes on their outer surface
program & use
the space is organized around a central gathering area with a restaurant, covered outdoor dining, and a lounge. Small, medium, and large shops, along the facing pedestrian paths, are activated on a rotating basis, and customized through a system of modular displays that use white road cases of different sizes and fabric graphic panels
impact & significance
a complex logistics of moving, setting, and resetting accompanies this unique shopping experience, retaining the signature subtropical ambiance of BHS' Florida origins
