Zomuzi, a New York-based design firm, has masterfully crafted Gantri's inaugural showroom in San Francisco. This innovative space seamlessly intertwines the building's 1930s architectural roots with the city's rich counter-cultural heritage. More than just a retail outlet, it's a gallery where customers can explore and personalize Gantri's distinct 3D-printed lighting creations.
Located in the vibrant SoMa district, Gantri's 'The Shop' occupies a 1,600-square-foot area, formerly an auto body garage. The interior is enveloped in Gantri green, extending across various materials and features. A central consultation table and a rear seating zone invite interaction, while display cases, lined with light plywood, trace the perimeter, highlighting the innovative lighting products. Notably, a long muslin curtain and a 'woven' screen made of 3D-printed tiles infuse the space with texture and visual interest, all bathed in the brand's signature hue.
Mzwakhe 'Muzi' Ndlovu, the founder of Zomuzi, drew inspiration from SoMa's diverse history, incorporating elements of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. He also paid homage to San Francisco's dynamic LGBTQ+ subculture and iconic venues like The Castro Theatre and The Oasis. Ndlovu consciously integrated motifs from traditional auto body shops, such as jacks, raised platforms, and pegboards, to create a space that encourages customers to configure products to their liking, mirroring the customization inherent in automotive work.
The showroom's opening coincides with Gantri's tenth anniversary, a significant milestone for the Bay Area-based company. Founded by Ian Yang, Gantri is committed to fostering a new generation of creators through its affordable digital manufacturing system and design platform, Gantri Made. This initiative, powered by thousands of 3D printers, aims to democratize the production of lighting designs, making advanced manufacturing accessible to a broader range of designers and brands.
The integration of digital manufacturing and 3D printing into larger-scale production is a growing trend, with designers like Gustaf Westman and Joyce Lai increasingly leveraging this technology. Gantri's showroom not only celebrates its brand identity but also embodies a vision of empowering creativity and community, reflecting San Francisco's enduring legacy as a hub for innovation and self-expression. The space is conceived as a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can connect and feel acknowledged.
This innovative showroom represents Gantri's commitment to both design excellence and community engagement, transforming a historical industrial space into a contemporary showcase for 3D-printed lighting. It reflects a thoughtful blend of past and present, offering a unique retail experience that is deeply rooted in its surroundings while looking forward to the future of design and manufacturing.