Rajeunir uncovers the potentiality of combining two or more differentiated systems that affect each other, resulting the generation of visual effects. The affective interaction of multiple systems is the core behavior of combinatoric multiplicity. The nature of the combination in this mode can range from antagonistic to complementary, but the relationship is not one of indifference. The process of combining, not just situating objects next to each other, requires a high degree of interconnectedness. A series of one type of objects is combined with a second series of another type where the first set deeply affects the second set. The generation of each set of objects may incorporate a topological logic of gradient intensity and adaptability, but the process of combination with another set of objects requires permanent alteration to the objects.

Rajeunir Palm Desert is the second interior retail store for the luxury dermatological products company. For their Palm Desert store, the client sought to continue to refine their brand identity of their 1,000 sf. store through a unique environment by creating individualized spaces carved out of the walls for each customer to try the products. The challenge was to create a sense of intimacy and a little mystery in the relatively small sales area. The sales area is defined by a smooth, continuous surface that, when cut into, reveals that the surface has depth and a series of golden objects that begin to emerge. This is achieved in a band of white horizontal layers that follow the continuous surface that defines the walls and ceiling. The horizontal layers are cut with large volumes, creating both the personal demonstration spaces and smaller voids for product display. The white horizontals are interlaced with gold layers and stacked in a white - gold repeating pattern, which creates a small space between each white layer and gold layer respectively.

The project is managed through a subtle use of technology where the design is defined through a parametric interaction between the three sets of components, consisting of the main surface, the voids, and the embedded gold objects. The behavior between each pairing of sets of objects is defined with unique rules of engagement. The modification of any set of objects generates a new combined entity, allowing for a family of differentiated iterations to be created. This allowed the design team to explore different levels of depth and location for the personalized demonstration areas within the relatively small sales area. Once the final design was determined, the digital files were directly sent to the fabricator for CNC cutting. The fabrication system operates on an established method of stacking plywood, but this deployment intersperses of gold and white layers to generate visual effects of objects emerging and receding within each other. The mysterious gold objects are only revealed when the white horizontal field is cut into, suggesting that there is more hiding within the depth of the walls than is first seen.

Client: Rajeunir Black Caviar
Location: Palm Desert, California
Size: 1000 sq.ft (92.9 m2)
Design: 2015
Construction: 2016

Design: Open Source Architecture / Chandler Ahrens
Architect of Record: Studio Jantzen / Christof Jantzen
Structural Engineering: Peter Erdelyi & Associates, Inc.
MEP Engineering: AW HVAC Engineering
Contractor: Global Design & Construction
Digital Fabrication: LDI Studio / Eric Arnold
Photography: Taiyo Watanabe

Awards:
AIA Los Angeles Merit Award 2016
Chicago Atheneum New American Architecture Award 2016
AIA St. Louis Distinguished Award 2017