Sarah & Sebastian's Cavernous Retail Space in Melbourne

Australian semi-fine jewelry label SARAH & SEBASTIAN's first Melbourne store is a basalt-like structure that plays with light and shadow. Dubbed Armadale, the moody store's interiors are inspired by an underwater cave that Sarah Munro of SARAH & SEBASTIAN visited while traveling.

Australian demi-fine jewelry label SARAH & SEBASTIAN‘s first Melbourne store is a basalt-like structure that plays with light and shadow. Dubbed Armadale, the moody store’s interiors are inspired by an underwater cave that Sarah Munro of SARAH & SEBASTIAN visited while traveling.

The creative director’s vision was brought to life by local architecture practice, Russell & George, who led the design of the cavernous retail space. Mirrored surfaces, black aluminium-wrapped walls and ceilings, and black stained timber flooring are combined with bright pops of lighting to give guests the feeling of being immersed in a subterranean cave with a glowing coral reef.

According to the architect, “embodying the jewellery brand’s fascination with the ocean and its ongoing health, the design of the SARAH & SEBASTIAN Armadale store echoes a quote by Naoshi Arakawa, “Even in the depths of the darkest oceans, some light always pierces through.”

“Utilizing a palette of black, in varying sheens and intensity, the store design creates a moody, immersive and playful experience where light can be focussed on even the smallest of elements.” – Russell & George