On Saturday 4th of December, Nothing began selling black and white pairs of ear (1) from a unique kiosk, positioned in Covent Garden, a trendy corner of Central London. Whilst the first 100 pairs of ear (1) black sold here caught the headlines, the structure itself is equally as fascinating, giving insight, I hope, into the future of physical spaces created by the brand.
Nothing (Store) is a refurbished K67 kiosk, a design originally conceived by Saša Mächtig, in the now-defunct nation of Yugoslavia in 1966. Created as a modular and highly customisable system, K67’s can be arranged in countless configurations to create large or small spaces. By 1999, when production ceased, some 7,500 K67 units had been produced. Their flexibility saw them utilised in various ways, from security booths to newsstands… there’s a rumour that Nothing's K67 used to be a hotdog stand! 🌭K67’s can still be spotted across Eastern Europe, and many were shipped to other countries; their functionality and unique design continue to be appreciated by many.
I first thought that the glossy paint job of Nothing (Store) was a stylistic choice to fit in with London’s red buses and telephone boxes but, this is in fact a typical colour scheme used for a K67. The units were commonly painted in bright primary colours to stand out in urban settings.
Uniquely retro with a somewhat futuristic aesthetic, the humble kiosk aligns with Teenage Engineering’s design principles. The curved surfaces and large transparent apertures demonstrate cohesion with the aesthetic so far exhibited by Nothing's products.
The lightweight construction of polycarbonate and fibreglass means a K67 unit can be easily lifted and positioned almost anywhere - a quality that the team will surely take advantage of to bring Nothing (Store) to other locations.
If ear (1) acts as a glimpse into future products from the brand, I think Nothing (Store) demonstrates their vision for upcoming retail experiences.
As the first physical space to represent the company’s ethos, I absolutely love this unique approach, but what do you think? And where would you like to see it appear next?
