Boardshop is a bold reinterpretation of Chisinau’s urban fabric – where raw architecture meets the pulse of street culture.
The space is more than a retail venue; it’s a cultural anchor for the city’s skate, graffiti, and streetwear scenes.
Set within a former Soviet-era building, the project preserves the site’s layered history – revealing original concrete, brick, and limestone through sandblasting and minimal intervention.
The architecture respects time, turning age and imperfection into design features.
Inside, the aesthetic is deliberate and restrained: exposed structures, tactile materials, and fluid zoning guide visitors from a bright retail entry to a subdued lounge area.
The open board wall, visible ceilings, and directional lighting evoke a sense of freedom and authenticity.
The design blurs the boundary between inside and out.
A transparent façade and welcoming street-level steps create a seamless transition, inviting movement and interaction.
Thus, Boardshop becomes a platform – part showroom, part gathering space – where design and youth culture interact in real time.
Architect: Alexandr Zarubin
Location: Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Area: 170 sq.m.
