Sensory Dynamics at Asphaltgold, Frankfurt
Blending moody, otherworldly textures with crisp architectural precision, Sunst Studio designed a layered and sensory environment for Asphaltgold’s new Frankfurt store.
The spatial concept was formulated through a series of contrasts: expansive, loft-like openness with pockets of intimacy; mid-century warmth, set against a backdrop of raw, industrial elements. References to classical spaces of learning are woven throughout: from the atmospheric tactility of dark cream tones to a custom LED-lit mahogany shelving system, evoking the library of a well-traveled mid-century architect – one of the project’s key inspirations.
Concept
The interior was shaped by carefully composed material variations and specially-made elements. Throughout, a contrast between old and new luxury is articulated through a language of opposites – roughness and refinement, heritage and modernity. Smooth, glossy surfaces (mirrors and glass-topped tables) are set against raw concrete flooring and the textured surfaces of custom planters, creating a tactile dialogue between elegance and grittiness.
Design
More than just a retail environment, the store was conceived as a hub for community and cultural exchange. Reflecting the evolution of contemporary commerce, the space functions as both a tactile showroom and a seamless digital portal, with hybrid touchpoints integrated throughout. Its layered material palette, atmospheric complexity and architectural clarity, echo Asphaltgold’s own design philosophy: refined, culture-driven and uncompromising in its commitment to quality.
The store was divided into three core zones: a versatile community front area integrated with a café and event zone, a recessed, fabric-lined interior dedicated to immersive retail, and a final, presentation area characterised by straight material-edging and design clarity. By repurposing existing architectural and industrial features, the original character of the space was preserved, with many internal walls retaining their original surfaces. As well as the addition of two new skylights, a refined grid motif – repeated across the metal ceiling structure, shelving, and tiled surfaces – threaded throughout the store.
La Marzocco x Asphaltgold
To accentuate the minimal, mid-century style of the store, a bespoke La Marzocco coffee machine was specially modified in collaboration with the coffee-making brand. The famously compact, Linea Micra model, with its clean edges and compact charm, was powder-coated in chocolate brown and etched with the company logo.