Located on Northwest 23rd, one of Portland’s premier shopping streets, Snow Peak’s USA Flagship and Headquarters will open alongside other high-quality brands like Arcteryx, Restoration Hardware and Williams Sonoma, as well as local favorites like legendary ice cream shop Salt & Straw. Northwest 23rd is nestled beneath Portland’s West Hills and Forest Park, with easy access to nature and everything the city’s downtown has to offer.
Dwelling in Nature
Designed in partnership with the legendary Portland firm Skylab Architecture, one guiding design principle of the new space has been “Dwell Outside.” The flagship will evoke the feelings of slowing down to gather in nature, though translated for a largely indoor environment. Design details throughout the interior will represent Snow Peak’s Japanese origins as well as its connection with the Pacific Northwest.
As guests descend the entryway stairs, the dark flooring will bring to mind stepping down onto the earth. When ascending to the mezzanine level, they will pass an installation exploring Snow Peak’s history. With bright natural light, open space and glass walls, the upper level of the flagship invokes the clouds and sky. Throughout the entire space, there will be ample light from floor-to-ceiling windows, calming greenery and warm, wooden accents inspired by traditional Japanese timbering.
The second floor will house Snow Peak’s US headquarters and a flexible event space to hold classes, presentations, community organizations and more. Matt Liddle, COO at Snow Peak USA, said that while the store will be the most compelling presentation of Snow Peak gear and apparel in North America, the space is designed for people as much as it is for product.
A Snow Peak Playground
The 14,000 square foot interior offers ample space for Snow Peak customers to experience and enjoy products in new ways. The mezzanine level will have an area for tent and tarp demonstrations and set-up. The ground floor will feature a dedicated space to experiment with different configurations of the Iron Grill Table, Snow Peak’s iconic modular outdoor kitchen. With expert guidance from the Snow Peak team, visitors to the store can bring their dream camp set-up to life.
In line with its values of encouraging time in nature, the Snow Peak USA Flagship will have 1800 square feet of outdoor space. Framed by lush foliage, it will offer an immersive natural experience and is partially covered to enable year-round usage. Guests will be able to savor a meal outside, or simply enjoy Takibi Time with a cold beverage in hand.
PNW Flavor, the Snow Peak Way
Snow Peak has always emphasized the importance of bringing people together around a fire to share a meal. As a reflection of this tenet, the flagship’s restaurant and bar will feature an open hearth and kitchen concept allowing guests to connect with the cooking process. The restaurant will serve Japanese-inspired dishes melded with a Pacific Northwest flavor, driven by a robust supply chain of locally sourced ingredients - both farmed and wild-foraged.
Local Partners and Materials
Snow Peak has long been known as a design brand with a preference for local craftsmanship. Accordingly, Snow Peak USA is partnering with local artisans to infuse local culture into the new flagship. PNW artist Shogo Ota will be creating an illustrated mural based off a historic image of Snow Peak’s founder, Yukio Yamai. The large piece of artwork will greet guests as they enter and serve as a focal point for the space.
Snow Peak is also partnering with the Portland Garment Factory, a locally-owned, zero-waste fabrication and design studio. The Portland Garment Factory is creating a cloud-inspired fabric and light installation in the core stairwell of the building utilizing Japanese textiles.
In an effort to reuse materials, the interior will feature reclaimed beams from a condemned warehouse in Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood. Made of 100-year-old Douglas Fir, the beams will be re-milled and incorporated into customer touchpoint areas throughout the retail space, a nod to Snow Peak’s connection with the Pacific Northwest.
Fueling Snow Peak’s Growth
Construction on the building began in October 2019, and Snow Peak’s USA Flagship and Headquarters will be opening in the Spring of 2020. Tohru Yamai, CEO of Snow Peak said the flagship signifies a new era for the company.
“Snow Peak’s flagship store on NW 23rd Avenue will ignite the company’s expansion across the US. We’re deeply committed to spreading Snow Peak’s mission of gathering people and creating opportunities for them to embrace their nature. The USA Flagship Store embodies this mission with its focus on interactive experiences, restaurant concept and integrated indoor/outdoor space. ”
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