Swank Wine Stores Edit
Alko in Finland

You might think that a state-owned wine store’s design doesn’t matter since it already possesses a monopoly; Alko in Finland, however, bucks that perception with their swank new decor.

Alko designers Aleksi Hautamäki and Anders Nord didn’t need to scope out the competition for this Finland project, but they did need to create a space that would appeal to every type of consumer. Where other wine shops use traditional display cases and dark wood, Alko contains light Douglas fir throughout the building.

Also at Alko are key design features that blend tradition with innovation. A light installation hangs atop the stairs, drawing customers to the service area and downstairs wine boutique. A logo comprised of cotton strings using a traditional weaving technique from Finland appears near the checkout lines.