Supreme hangs a skate-bowl from the ceiling of their San Fran store. And let’s face it, why wouldn’t they?

If the Freenote Cloth CD-3 jacket from last week hadn’t inspired “Fuck That’s Cool”, this would have. The folks over at Supreme would never be satisfied with something so humdrum as sticking a skate ramp in their San Francisco store… no-no-no. Why have it restrained from the confines of the floor when you can dangle it from the ceiling? 

Stick with who you know

To do so they turned to their old collaboration partners, Brinkworth and Wilson Brothers. Ten years ago, the firms worked together on the London Supreme store. So it made sense to turn to them once again when it came to renovating the old industrial space in San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighbourhood.

Skate sculpture

As you walk into the 260 square meter store, the suspended bowl dominates the space. The exposed structure of the curved shape has a skeletal quality to it. It is as much art installation and sculpture as it is something to skate. But skate it you can. And this is when it comes alive. 

LOUD!

The shape projects and amplifies the sound of the skateboard wheel on the wooden surface

“The bowl is like a huge speaker,” said Adam Brinkworth, who founded Brinkworth “Getting immersed in the thunderous sound of it being ridden makes my hair stand on end.”

The whole structure is a testament to the vision of Brinkworth and the skill and craftsmanship of Steve Badgett and his studio SIMPARCH who fabricated and installed the bowl.

Ain’t all bowl and no bawl

But the store ain’t all bowl and no bawl. The old industrial history of the building is hinted at by the exposed steel beams that stretch up to the double-height ceilings. Hanging on the beams are mirrors, opening up the space while the beams are rooted firmly in a solid concrete floor.

Exposed brickwork is set off against clean crips white sections of the wall. It sets the tone for the shelves and racks that line the walls to display Supreme clothes and supplies.

90s skate spot

To further the skate vibe, the benches in the store echo the nearby Market Street benches which were a popular skate spot back in the 90s. 

Standing guard

Standing like sentinels are 3 enormous two-meter sculptures by American artist and professional skateboarder Mark Gonzales.

Hard to miss

The Supreme outpost in San Francisco is on 1015 Market St. It’s pretty hard to miss, the massive dark grey facade setting off the bright interior. And not to mention the clamour of skate wheels on wood.

Images: Louise Melchior, Dean Kaufman and Alex Etchells. Vid: Brinkworth