Not just a shop, but a tannery-store. In Hamburg, French brand Polène has recreated a contemporary tannery where leather is not simply displayed but experienced, transformed and narrated. Overlooking the canal in the Neustadt district and designed by Snøhetta, the space is inspired by the movement of water and the industrial memory of the port city. Here the brand stages an immersive experience that celebrates the transformation of leather, amidst iconic machinery, mineral-like textures and ancient gestures brought back to life.
The tannery-store
“Artisanship at Work” is not just a display, but a true experience. Inside its German store, Polène has reconstructed a modern tannery where visitors can follow the journey of leather from raw material to rebirth. Three machines—a drum, a conveyor belt and a flexometer—set the rhythm of this narrative, turning the space into a living workshop. At the heart of the project lies the processing of compressed leather offcuts: 488 kilos recycled and reimagined into textures reminiscent of minerals, in a play of tones that reflects the brand’s visual identity. The result is an environment alive with craftsmanship, sustainability and tactile beauty.
Design and material
Enhancing the space is the contribution of German designer Simon Stanislawski, renowned for his optical illusions. His sofa, sculpted from recycled foam, resembles a section of cliff shaped by nature—an object that challenges perception and celebrates material, perfectly aligned with the brand’s philosophy. The architecture of the store itself, with its fluid forms and water-inspired textures, reinforces an environment where every detail tells a story: the story of leather, of time, of the artisan’s hand. It marks a milestone for Polène, which asserts its roots in manufacturing. In an age that avoids its origins, Polène opens a tannery-store that resists the logic of fast consumption, instead celebrating slowness, material and craft. A space that becomes an act of memory and courage: an invitation to observe, to understand, and to remember that behind every form lies a story.
Photo: Polène
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