Stefanie Brückler’s elegant identity for homestore Atrio finds inspiration in the Wiener Werkstätte

“The mark is both a monogram and an abstract pictogram,” NYC-based creative director and designer Stefanie Brückler tells us, discussing her comprehensive branding for Atrio – a Los Angelean homestore by Jeremiah Brent. “It contains all letters of the word Atrio,” she continues, “taking inspiration from the monograms that different designers and artisans in the Wiener Werkstätte used,” alongside the architectural details crafted by the turn-of-the-20th-century art production house. “It also depicts a Mediterranean atrium,” Brückler adds, “showing the sun rays entering the skylight” through the abstracted outlines of columns and spheres found inside of one.

Pulling again on the historical references behind the logomark, Atrio’s bespoke wordmark, as Brückler details, “takes strong cues from the typographic styles of the Wiener Werkstätte.” It does, however, opt for “a more geometric base and a refined, modern look” to sit more comfortably in the present day – a line of thought also mirrored in Brückler’s choice of typography. “Since a lot of our inspiration for the identity is derived from the Mediterranean-style atrium itself, Sackers Gothic felt like a perfect match,” describing the decision-making behind the selection of Monotype’s stone-carving-like Roman sans serif. “It was important to bridge the gap between all our historical references and tie them together,” Brückler adds, satisfying the bridge between the brand’s Mediterranean past and contemporary standing.

“Futura’s uppercase letters also have similar proportions to classic Roman capitals,” she notes, “but with a friendly undertone,” introducing the classic sans serif as Atrio’s supporting typeface. “Its simple geometric forms tie in well with the geometric aspects of the wordmark and logo,” Brückler remarks, bringing a dimensional cohesion to the identity across the entirety of its output – from e-commerce packaging and social media to its in-store printed collateral and website. No matter the touchpoint, however, Atrio’s brand remains firmly rooted in art and history.

“The brand is inspired by a wide span of historical references,” Brückler recalls, especially the physicality of the Roman-style atriums and their fluted columns, skylights, sculptures and pools. “So a lot of our references for the materials and finishes in the identity are inspired by this visual language,” she explains, reflecting the store’s own historically inspired pieces. “The curation of products heavily influences the graphic design,” she adds, “generally inspired by any historic references spanning centuries, that spark curiosity,” utilising their texture and experience, as seen in not only the tactility of the visual language but its colour too.

“The colour palette is inspired by the materiality of the different products sold at Atrio,” Brückler expands, including a range of vintage and hand-crafted pieces, resulting in a linen, off-white, deep bronze and green palette. “It takes inspiration from the darker tones in verdigris,” she concludes, “as well as a charcoal tone.”

Stefanie Brückler

Atrio