# Material contrasts define Rikky Hype's showroom in Kyiv Ukrainian fashion brand's identity translated into architectural language - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-08-11 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7962c972-704c-4185-8787-81d7a820d8a8 ## Fashion experience in a postwar building Designed by Temp Project, Rikky Hype's flagship store occupies 160 sqm on Khreshchatyk, Kyiv's main street. Located opposite the historic Bessarabian Market, the showroom responds to its urban context through material contrasts, reflective surfaces, and a sequence of retail spaces. Large storefront windows connect the interior with the surrounding creative communities, office workers, and market vendors in one of Kyiv's active public areas. ## Architectural interpretation of brand identity The design translates the Ukrainian brand's visual identity into an architectural language based on tactility, distortion, and shifting surfaces. The existing interior was completely reorganized to accommodate men's and women's collections alongside sportswear, lingerie, swimwear, and accessories. Several planning scenarios were developed to create an intuitive circulation route while balancing different retail programs. ## Contrasts in material palette Temp Project's designer Anastasiia Tempynska uses materiality as the primary design language. Rough plaster introduces textured surfaces that contrast with warm cork finishes and sculptural furniture characterized by curved, flowing forms. Integrated steel structures and mesh screens add an industrial element, while mirrors function as architectural surfaces rather than simple fixtures. ## Mirrors that play with reflections Mirrors distort, fragment, and multiply reflections, making changing perceptions of space part of the retail experience. A cracked mirror embedded within textured plaster offers another variation, combining irregular reflective surfaces with the roughness of surrounding walls. This treatment transforms functional elements into experiential components of the design. ## Color-shifting metallic details A key material element is the extensive use of iridescent metal with a gasoline-like finish. Its development required surface treatment capable of shifting color according to lighting conditions and viewing angle. The resulting appearance changes introduce movement into the static interior and reinforce the project's focus on perception and material behavior. ## Custom-designed focal points Despite the range of textures and finishes, the interior maintains a restrained composition. Several custom elements act as focal points, including a rotating mirror at checkout, a curved sculptural sofa, and the cracked mirror integrated into plaster walls. The material palette combines warm/cold surfaces, soft/rigid forms, and tactile/reflective finishes to interpret the brand's identity without literal symbolism. ## Space that extends brand experience Through its spatial organization and material strategy, Rikky Hype's flagship store extends the fashion brand's identity into its physical environment. The project combines retail functionality with contrasting surfaces, reflective elements, and custom architectural details, positioning the interior as an active component of the shopping experience that evolves as visitors move through the space. ## Design's contribution to retail Rikky Hype's showroom transcends traditional retail approaches by transforming brand identity into spatial experience. Material choices and spatial configuration deepen visitors' interaction with the brand. Integrated into Kyiv's dynamic urban fabric, the store symbolizes the resilience and innovation of Ukraine's creative industry in the postwar period, setting new standards for retail design in challenging contexts. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/iridescent-metal-textured-plaster-rikky-hype-showroom-kyiv-temp-project-rikky-hype/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._