The Studio occupies the ground floor of a 1920 loft building. It is the first retail venture for the 130-year-old yarn company.

In addition to showcasing the entire range of Lion Brand’s yarns, the Studio will host many activities and events related to knitting and crocheting. The two principal design elements of the 1700 square-foot space are a wave wall on one side and diagonal cubbies on the other. The regular lines and flat surfaces of the floor and ceiling set off the wave and cubbies. The wave is a metaphoric thread that weaves through and connects the various spaces of the Studio: product displays, yarn sampling, cashier, learning bar, class table, and lounge.

Practically, the wave contains the irregular elements on that side of the room, such as the building’s fire stair, a bathroom, an office, etc. The cubbies are made from a translucent polycarbonate panel, lit from behind and above to highlight the most subtle differences in color and texture of the yarns. “Green” materials in the Studio include the resin counters and ceramic floor tiles, which are made from recycled glass, and the cabinets, which use panels made from reclaimed sorghum plant stalks. The wood flooring is bamboo, a rapidly renewable material.

• See the studio in the book Green Retail Design, published 2010

Photography: Paul Johnson