Brazilian manufacturer Grendene wanted to make an unforgettable statement with its new flagship, Galeria Melissa, in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. Serving as architect of record, Mancini ensured the built space was true to Grendene’s and designer Muti Randolph’s vision—and that its many custom elements, developed by an international team of contractors, were fabricated correctly and on time.

A Dramatic & Experiential Retail Entry Sequence at Galeria Melissa

Visitors enter a metal bridge carrying guests through a visual landscape of shifting lines and colors, made possible by large-scale LED screens and mirrors. The entry from the street integrates technology and mirrors similar to the installation at the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey in Times Square.

The showroom continues these design motifs, with angled and pyramidal lighting, benches, and product displays. Off the showroom is a space dedicated to artist installations; the final space is the green room, which features rich, saturated woods, a living green wall, with a sculptural custom cashier desk taking center stage.