Gourmet Tea’s Pop-Out Pop-Up, Brazil

Brazilian tea brand The Gourmet Tea is taking pop-up shopping to a new level with a playful pop-up and ‘pop-out’ concept in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Designed by Brazilian architect Alan Chu – who is renowned for his smart handling of small spaces – the imaginative teashop is squeezed into a 25 sq m lot within the Cidade Jardim shopping centre, and is inspired by the brand’s ultra-vibrant packaging.

Prior to ‘popping out’, the teashop is concealed by what looks like a standard wall overlaid with flat coloured panels. With even the sign hidden behind a hinged board, only the trademark colours hint at its potential presence. However, as each panel is opened, slid across or pulled out, the space shape-shifts into a fully functioning, albeit petite teashop, with kitchen, display case, till point and a suite of pantries.

For more examples of diminutive yet stylish shops, see our Retail report: Compact Stores. For more on the topic of pop-up innovation, see our reports Olympic Pop-Ups and New Pop-Ups: Best Brand Boosters of 2010-11.

The Gourmet Tea

Alan Chu