TDC&Co Designs a New Home for Shelflife, Taking Inspiration from Cape Town’s Juxtaposition of Grit and Glamour
What if retail could tell the story of a city? Shelflife’s new flagship, located in Cape Town’s historic Barracks, does just that. Blending the city’s rich heritage with modern street culture, this innovative space offers more than shopping — it’s a vibrant hub for community, art, and design.
Reclaimed and repurposed
The Barracks, an iconic 18th-century structure in Cape Town, has witnessed centuries of transformation. Shelflife’s redesign celebrates this evolution by seamlessly incorporating original architectural elements, including weathered stone walls that speak to the building’s maritime roots. TDC&Co drew inspiration from the raw beauty of the site, using reclaimed materials and local craftsmanship to bridge the gap between old and new. Float boxes from Paarden Eiland, repurposed as striking wall cladding, evoke the city’s industrial legacy while modern lighting highlights the building’s natural textures, creating a dynamic contrast between history and contemporary design.
The store’s aesthetic draws from Cape Town’s unique blend of grit and glamour, capturing the essence of a city where history, nature, and modernity collide. Each design choice is intentional, as though the store itself is telling the story of the city it inhabits.
On community and collaboration
The layout is designed as a journey, encouraging visitors to explore and discover the multi-faceted space. Featuring a dedicated café, gallery space, and showcase for local designers, it serves as a community hub that invites collaboration and interaction. The iconic dolos, a massive concrete structure typically used in breakwaters, is reimagined as a striking sculptural feature and functional seating, further symbolising Cape Town’s celebrated coastal heritage.
In the face of transient retail experiences, Shelflife and TDC&Co have crafted something special — a dynamic destination and a community heart. It joyously reminds us how designing with thought leads to spaces that are not just seen, but truly experienced.
This article is an extract from our 2024/25 Coffee Table Edition. Click here to read the full issue.
