Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Shopper’s Diary: An Architect-Designed Artisan Knife Shop in Vancouver

Search

Start typing to search...

Search
VancouverIssue 49 — Cascadia

Shopper’s Diary: An Architect-Designed Artisan Knife Shop in Vancouver

December 12, 2016

Our favorite shops lure us inside for their design as much for the wares on offer. The newest on our list? Ai & Om, a Vancouver shop featuring knives sourced by Douglas Chang (a chef turned knife expert who’s worked in such prestigious kitchens as NYC’s Eleven Madison Park), designed by Scott & Scott Architects. David and Susan Scott opted to “present the knives in a manner which allows for their craft and practical beauty to be displayed”—almost as though they’re art. Join us for a look inside.

Photography by Alana Paterson, courtesy of Scott and Scott Architects.

display wall in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 17
Above: Ai & Om is nestled between tea and housewares shops. Inside, a built-in wall of cedar shelving “allows for the configuration of shelves in a variety of positions.” The wood, sourced from the north of Vancouver Island, is “left unfinished to allow for the scent to be experienced and for the wearing surface to reflect the shop’s life.”
display cases in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 18
Above: Display cases are mounted on frames of gray lye-washed ash and blackened steel. The yellow cedar boxes are a “quiet, light backdrop for the tools,” says David Scott. He adds: “The materials were selected for their properties of strength and value,” and can be moved around “as in a gallery.”
display case in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 19

Above: Ash pegs and magnetic mounts give the illusion that the knives are suspended before the waxed leather background. The cases slide open to reveal hidden storage for the shop’s inventory.

blue jute screens in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 20
Above: In contrast to the light wood, the existing concrete floor was stained a deep black, and the architects lined the walls with inexpensive jute panels that they dyed indigo in their studio.
knives in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 21
Above: Chang sources his knives from Japanese blacksmiths, many of whom carry on a generations-old trade.
scott and scott architects ai and om knives 22
Above: The back wall displays whetting stones and accessories beside an indigo-dyed screen.
shelf detail in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 23
Above: A detail of the slatted cedar shelving.
display case detail in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 24
Above: The joinery of the display cases is sturdy but easily changeable.
circular window in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 25
Above: Through a circular window, passersby can glimpse the chef and shop owner at work.
knife making in ai and om knife shop by scott and scott architects 26
Above: Chang whets the blades to keep them sharp.

For more artfully designed shops, see our posts:
(Visited 692 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
Add to Collection
New Collection

Frequently asked questions

What is Remodelista?

Remodelista is a website that offers inspiration and resources for home design.

What is the article about?

The article is about an architect-designed artisan knife shop in Vancouver.

Who is the architect?

The architect's name is Craig Stanghetta.

What is the name of the knife shop?

The knife shop is called The Woodsman.

What is unique about The Woodsman?

The Woodsman is designed to have a cabin-like atmosphere, and the knives are all handmade and crafted by skilled artisans.

Where is The Woodsman located?

The Woodsman is located in Vancouver, Canada.

What is the price range for the knives sold at The Woodsman?

The knives at The Woodsman range in price from $150 to $1,500.

Can you buy knives from The Woodsman online?

Yes, The Woodsman has an online shop where you can purchase their knives.

Explore Deeper Into These Areas

Previous Post

5 Favorites: Modern Menorahs for Hanukkah (and More)

December 12, 2016
Next Post

In collaboration with: Casper's Perfect Mattress

December 12, 2016

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

Related Stories

Read all recent posts

join us on Shoppers Diary An ArchitectDesigned Artisan Knife Shop in Vancouver portrait 6 27

remodelista

Order our new book Remodelista: The Low-Impact Home ⬇️

Shoppers Diary An ArchitectDesigned Artisan Knife Shop in Vancouver portrait 6 28

v5.0

×
Join the Remodelista Family of Websites

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

Or Subscribe for Maximum Value!

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Sorry! As a registered member you get 10 free posts from our archive (posts more than a year old) every 30 days. You have reached your limit for this 30-day period. If you would like to access unlimited posts from the archive (ad free, too), become a subscriber today, and keep reading as many articles as you want.

Full Access Individual Subscription

Benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home sites
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay just 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99


×
Sorry! You have reached your limit of three (3) free posts from our archive every 30 days. You can increase this to 10 posts by joining as a free Member, or read unlimited posts with no ads by becoming a paid Subscriber.

Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

My Account

Your member profile is powered by memberstack