The 313 Space, is set to shake things up at this year’s Fall High Point Market, promising to redefine the showroom experience. Conceived by Rudi Nijssen and Dominique Sente, the couple behind antiques market and lighting brand Schwung, the 110,000-square-foot space aims to showcase a curated market experience blending established and emerging brands, outdoor luxury, antique dealers, and cutting-edge design.
Located in a meticulously restored 20th-century mill, 313 Space features preserved hardwood floors, tall wooden ceilings, and wrought iron windows. The building is already at 90% capacity for its first market, hosting a diverse array of exhibitors including a pop-up of South African brands new to the U.S. market.
First-time market exhibitors such as Keim Paints, Mushlume Lighting, and Gloster Design will join best-in-class outdoor brands like Dedon’s new U.S. headquarters and Harbour Outdoor. Vintage and antique showcases, including Schwung’s own first-floor display, round out the offerings.
This week on Disruptive Design, we had the chance to sit down with Rudi and Dominique to discuss how they’re disrupting the showroom experience at High Point Market with more modern, upscale, and designer-centric offerings. Click play on the video below to watch our discussion:
How the 313 Building came to be
Several years ago, while searching for a company space, the discovery of a beautiful piece of real estate sparked the idea for a larger showroom. The founders sought a building with natural light, greenery, comfort, healthy food access and outdoor spaces for their own showroom. They realized this intimate, intentional experience could benefit others too.
Through 313 Space, they’ve leveraged 10 years of High Point Market experience and decades in the design community to create their ideal multi-showroom space. The building will serve as a hub for industry connections, collaboration and solutions.
Carefully curated exhibitor directory
They carefully selected elements and exhibitors to foster community and shared purpose. The goal was to build a community of complementary brands and vendors, offering complete solutions for designers and visitors. Unlike disconnected traditional markets, they aimed to create a space where brands align values and collaborate, enhancing the experience for all involved.
They relied on the community they’ve built over 25 years in the design world to populate the space with the best companies and makers. They’ve had many different exhibitors show with them at Schwung and have always enjoyed the experience. As they began, it became clear that they wanted to create a space that felt like a community. Their space will offer a home-like atmosphere, incorporating food, gardens and bars, with lots of natural light and greenery. It’s an intimate, welcoming environment with personable service.
The exhibitors have a concierge at their disposal because the organizers want every craftsperson to know they respect and care for them and their work. The goal is to create a place that feels alive and nurturing.
For the remaining 10% occupancy, 313 is looking for exhibitors who are conscious creators and game-changers in the home design sector. These exhibitors are driven by shared values like durability, ethical production and environmental responsibility. Their products have a real connection to craftsmanship and will resonate with the ethos of creating for the future.
Indoor-outdoor connection
In the heart of downtown High Point, a 6-acre expanse of undeveloped land stands as one of the largest such parcels in the area. The owners have embraced their role as stewards of this valuable property with a deep sense of responsibility. Their vision was to preserve the old mill on the site while creating a lush garden oasis around it, open to all.
Drawing inspiration from the restorative gardens and parks of Europe, which provide essential green spaces in urban environments, they aimed to offer a similar respite to their community. This carefully cultivated setting naturally lent itself to the pursuit of inspiring outdoor brands, aligning perfectly with the owners’ commitment to creating a harmonious blend of nature and commerce.
Beyond High Point Market Fall 2024, what does the future of 313 look like?
They have only scratched the surface of 313’s potential. They envision creating a community garden in collaboration with Grow High Point, aiming to give back to the community while providing vegetables and flowers for a farm-to-table concept restaurant slated for 2025. The team is actively engaging with various collaborators, acknowledging the scarcity of high-quality, healthy dining options in town. Their ambitious plans extend to showcasing elegant English-style greenhouses and designer outbuildings, such as garden sheds and pool houses.
In a striking blend of old and new, the building’s entrance is a testament to thoughtful, theatrical design, conceived by Dominique Sente in collaboration with architect John Pears. The renovation of this early 1900s structure preserves its historic industrial aesthetic while incorporating modern elements, creating an atmosphere that is both welcoming and grand. From the play of light to the wooden floors and original windows, the building exudes personality and charm, built with the Schwung founders’ environmentally-friendly ethos, to be enjoyed for generations to come. | For more information about 313, visit them online: https://www.313.space/
