This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an immersive retail design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, External Reference.

The Presentedby store in Riyadh, designed by the Barcelona-based architecture firm External Reference, blends physical and digital elements to create a uniquely immersive retail environment inspired by the desert oasis and the role of water. The store features a programmable water curtain, animated water holograms, morphological product displays interpreted as cascading water, and interactive digital projections. The space also includes a VIP lounge with screens and mirrored ceilings for an intimate customer experience. Eco-friendly 3D-printed materials balance innovation with sustainability, embodying a comprehensive design approach for this premium sneaker and streetwear consignment store.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client’s brief for the project was to design the new Presentedby premium sneaker and streetwear consignment store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to create a destination that would captivate Saudi aficionados of premium sneakers and streetwear. The aim was to design an immersive and unique store that would stand out while maintaining a connection to the established family of previous Presented By stores. The challenge was to harmonize innovation with nature, technology with water, an exhibition space with a retail necessity, ensuring that the new store in Riyadh would offer a fresh experience while resonating with the brand’s existing identity.

What inspired the design of the project?

The unique identity of each Presentedby store is intricately woven into its specific urban context, resulting in a series of distinctive, innovative projects. This approach ensures that every store stands out as a singular creation, intimately linked to both the brand’s identity and the geographical location it inhabits. This emphasis on contextual integration is a hallmark of PB stores, where the design for each establishment is meticulously tailored to its surroundings, be it in terms of physical attributes, cultural influences, or environmental factors. The project’s design inspiration stemmed from the desert oasis and especially the role water plays in shaping such landscapes. The primary objective was to underscore water’s profound importance in the region. This concept was then skilfully translated into an immersive retail space that is both distinctive and unparalleled. Under the leadership of Carmelo Zappulla, the architects at External Reference embarked on a mission to mirror both the physical and symbolic impact of water. This creative journey materialized in the conception of an array of design components, ranging from a programmable water curtain to animated refreshing water holograms, 3D-printed display walls mimicking the flow of cascading water, and even digital simulations of various water formations. These elements collectively manifest the aquatic theme and enrich the store’s ambiance, fostering an engaging and sensory experience for visitors.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The design team faced its most formidable challenge in navigating the technical and engineering obstacles tied to the incorporation of water-based design elements. This encompassed devising solutions for a programmable water curtain, a water printer responsible for animating sculptures, and crafting 3D-printed display walls. Each facet necessitated pioneering approaches and meticulous contemplation to uphold both functionality and safety, all the while preserving the desired aesthetic. The initial step involved a comprehensive 3D scan of the space, leading to the subsequent development of a detailed 3D model encompassing all fabrication files. Subsequent production activities took place in Spain before being transported to Saudi Arabia. Impressively, the entire assembly of the store transpired within a remarkably swift 15-day period. The ultimate objective was to craft an iconic destination that not only served as a paramount marketing tool for the brand but also possessed a distinct allure compared to its counterparts. Additionally, the project aimed to generate digital content amenable to remote monitoring and management. This approach facilitated the seamless updating and rectification of all digital content from a remote location.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The task involved seamlessly blending innovation and nature, integrating technology with water, and merging the functional requirements of a retail space with the immersive ambiance of an exhibition area. The goal was to create a novel experience within the new Riyadh store, all while maintaining a strong alignment with the brand’s established identity. The team’s highlight of the project was likely the successful realization of the immersive water-themed design. The ability to bring the concept of water to life through various architectural and technological innovations, including the water curtain, holograms, and 3D-printed displays, would have been a significant achievement that showcased their creativity and expertise.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The decision to enter the SBID Awards was driven by our desire to gain recognition and acknowledgment for the exceptional design of the Presentedby store in Riyadh. As a team that has previously won an SBID Award with the Restaurant Alkimia in 2017 and has been named finalists with several retail projects, we understand how exhilarating it is to receive such prestigious recognition. The experience of winning an SBID Award and being recognized as a finalist in the past has shown us the transformative power of these accolades in increasing our reputation and standing within the design community.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being an Award Finalist in the SBID Awards would hold immense significance for both Carmelo Zappulla’s architecture firm, External Reference, and the Presentedby brand. Having previously secured an SBID Award with the Restaurant Alkimia in 2017 and having been finalists with multiple retail projects, we are aware of how thrilling it is to receive these honours. The positive impact on our reputation, the heightened visibility, and the new opportunities that arise are invaluable. Recognition as an SBID Award Finalist would not only reaffirm our commitment to innovative and exceptional design but also continue to elevate our standing in the design industry.

Questions answered by Carmelo Zappulla, CEO of External Reference.

Supremati was commissioned to reimagine HD Cutz, led by premiere hairstylist Sheldon Edwards, to reflect the brand’s aspirations and cater to their VIP clientele. The space was designed with a luxurious, bold, elegant, and futuristic scheme, quickly becoming London’s hidden gem. It offers a truly exclusive experience to some of the most well-known sportspeople and celebrities.

The project met the brief with a thoroughly developed layout that provides ample working stations for the barber shop, academy, and VIP room. We maximised the space by using a light colour scheme with Bauwerk-painted walls and ceiling, large format porcelain tiles, and tall mirrors to reflect the space. The visually striking ceiling, created with LED lighting, enhances the ambiance, complemented by concealed skirting LED lights and vertical and horizontal LED lighting on the walls for a bolder look.

Adding black MDF frames for mirrors, drawers, barber chairs, and the reception wall and ceiling created a striking contrast that brings masculinity to the design. American walnut slat wood panelling on the back wall adds warmth to the monochromatic scheme and reflects the enduring trend of using timber slat panelling in interiors. Large TV screens and an LED ceiling add an edgy, futuristic feel that was very important to our client.

A key aspect of the layout was positioning the reception desk in the centre to divide the busy part of the shop from the more relaxed academy and VIP area. Black steel on the reception wall and ceiling separates these two spaces, while a mirror-clad coat storage in front of the reception desk enlarges the space and adds practicality for clients. The VIP room, placed directly in front of the entrance and covered in American walnut panels, offers a truly luxurious experience for the well-known sportspeople who regard HD Cutz as their most reliable barber shop in the world.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an uplifting biophilic retail design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, The Secret Stylists.

The Secret Stylists were commissioned to design and specify the interior architecture, fixtures, fittings, soft furnishing, lighting and finishes for Moss and Moor Garden Centre Ilkley.

What was the client’s brief? 

The clients provided me with this new brand’s guidelines and the architectural drawings of the building before they broke ground and asked me how I would imagine their garden centre to feel and look. The words that I took from that brief were: Lively natural. Social, Friendly. Down to earth. Uplifting. Camouflage. Plants & People Honest, ethical, intriguing. Natural Vibrancy. So, I set about how I would imagine I could communicate these ideas within essentially an industrial shell.

What inspired the design of the project?

The View. Moss and Moor looks out onto an iconic landmark in Yorkshire, “The Cow and Calf”. I looked at the geology of the rocks, the heather moorland, the rivers, the stone walls, and sky and tried to figure out how I could relate this to Moss and Moor. I feel I achieved this with the plywood edging, the polished concrete floors that add a depth to the space when the sky is reflects on it at different times of the day, the layering of fabrics, colours and textures in the restaurant. My upholsterer thought I was crazy when I plotted out a random shape to be repeated as the bench backrests to allude to a Yorkshire stone wall. The handmade porcelain lampshades were pressed into hessian to create an organic finish. The cork wrapping the bar is akin to a topographic map and contributes a sound proofing function to this area. The rubber and cork flooring used to wrap the tills (as they needed to be very durable) is akin to soil.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

We were building it during the pandemic, which did bring challenges, but generally we had a great flow of communication throughout to trouble shoot any issues that arose.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The welcome desk… I had wanted to introduce one obvious natural element into an otherwise modern environment and that was in the form of a large tree as our reception desk. The fact that my sculptor friend happened to have a seasoned tree which was the perfect size, that he (luckily) hadn’t started cutting into, filled me with joy. We took the bark off, cut it down, made a perfectly flat top with an arctic mill saw, carved a space as the desk, and mounted it on large metal supports. Everyone tends to run their hand over it when they arrive, and the natural undulations of the trunk are very welcoming to lean against.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

I have always followed the awards and just by chance thought I would submit Moss and Moor as I am very proud of this design, as I know it achieves everything I had set out to create for the owners and the customers.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

It has given me more confidence to put my work out in the public eye and I feel very privileged to be included in the awards.

Questions answered by Cliona Harkin, Brand and Design Director at The Secret Stylists.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a warm and earthy salon design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Layrd Design.

Layrd Design completed this bespoke salon scheme for Douce. Douce is a 5 seat Salon, Cafe and Bar, this is a truly unique offering for Cambridge. The space is very welcoming with warm earthy tones throughout, from the walnut surfaces, concrete floor, dusty pink, deep greens and coffee colours. They designed a curved bar that was compact and functional to allow for both coffee service and alcoholic drinks. The front of this is clad in stainless steel as a nod to the former Air-Stream that was converted as a mobile salon and was located near to the new space.

What was the client’s brief? 

The brief was to take the clients vision for the space and turn this into a feasible and achievable scheme withing their budget. We were tasked with creating a unique salon space that also encompassed a small café/bar space which didn’t overlook or make the salon customers feel uncomfortable. Douce were looking to create a warm and welcoming setting so natural tones and earthy red and green tones were incorporated into the space.

The existing salon space was a mobile airstream located close to the new salon, they wanted the airstream to be included in the design in subtle ways as a hint to the heritage to the company.

What inspired the design of the project?

The existing airstreams and the values of Douce were big inspirations for the design. The need to create a calming, welcoming and timeless interior space.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The client had an incredible vision for their concept store. Creating this clear vision into a functioning design that met all of the necessary regulations, within budget, was a hurdle. Also creating a space that worked as a salon and a cafe at the same time and felt cohesive.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing the bespoke Joinery elements all come together and work as they had been designed to work. There is a lot of bespoke elements to the space and you only see it all come together when they are installed.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We have been finalists on two other occasions and the recognition and awareness from this is really great for our company growth and exposure. Company and team recognition for the completed project, as well as awareness of the concept store itself, Douce.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

We are immensely proud to be nominated for the third successive year, it has elevated our profile and brand exposure massively and contributed to our growth as a company.

Questions answered by Will Mayes, Director of Layrd Design.

In 2023, Marmo were invited to supply and install the Venetian Plaster finishes for the Louis Vuitton store in Heathrow’s Terminal 3. This was an exciting opportunity for us, and one of our most bespoke projects to date.

For this project, the client was specifying Venetian Plaster as an alternative to wallpaper, due to the strict fire regulations in place at Heathrow Airport. We were therefore tasked with creating Venetian Plaster finishes to replicate several wallpaper samples provided by the client, utilising innovative tools and application techniques in order to meet the project’s unique design requirements.

One of the finishes specified for the store ceiling was an adaptation of Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram canvas. This was a complex effect to replicate, requiring a custom stencil, a bespoke colour match, and application of two contrasting Venetian Plaster finishes, our Marmorino Spatula and Pitted Venetian Plaster.

Alongside this stencilled design, we created a several other bespoke samples including a glossy wave finish, a raked finish, a brushed metallic finish, and a finish replicating the effect of embossed metal, each specified for various wall areas and accent panels throughout the store.

Our works were phased over three months, from June to September 2023. The accent panels were delivered to our workshop in Epsom to be coated, whilst the remainder of the works were completed on site during night shifts. The ceiling design was particularly labour-intensive, involving the application of 175 sheets of vinyl stencil and the manual removal of 72,000 vinyl petals! The team worked tirelessly to meet tight deadlines, and the final phase of the installation was completed whilst the store was open and trading. Despite facing significant challenges, this was a hugely rewarding project to be involved with, and the results were remarkable.

As we reflect on this extraordinary project, we are reminded of what a privilege it is to collaborate with iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, and we look forward to many more successful partnerships in the future.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

It should go without saying that as the owner or operator of a business or commercial property your primary focus above all else, should be the safety of your employees and customers.

In this article we will focus on fire safety and the measures you must take to ensure you comply with required British Building Regulations.

A large proportion of hospitality and retail businesses operate out of existing buildings (although there are always exceptions), be it pub companies with their historic and aging estates, or bars and restaurants taking units on larger new developments where the main building’s fire safety requirements have already been considered and meet current regulations.

With that in mind we will focus on the factors that must be considered in order to meet current regulations in an existing building:

• Means of Warning and escape
• Internal fire spread (linings)
• Internal Fire Spread (structure)

 

It must be stressed that this is only a brief overview of the various factors that should be considered to ensure full Building Regulation compliance in regard to fire safety. For the full regulations you should refer to Building Regulations Approved Document B (fire safety), but given the extent of information included we would heartily recommend that you appoint a competent designer or architect, who has the necessary knowledge and training to be able to correctly apply these requirements, and consider them at an early part of the design process.

It can so often be the case that a wonderful looking scheme plan can be stymied because an inexperienced designer didn’t consider the necessary fire safety regulations, (and all building regulations for that matter), which can result in plans needing to change to ensure things such as compartmentalisation or adequate escape routes. As budgets are often set prior to moving a project forward to statutory application stages, the failure to properly consider regulatory requirements can also result in additional costs to the client, which can in turn result in not having the budget to afford those beautiful tiles or light fittings you wanted.

Listed below are a few of the various things that must be considered when approaching a commercial project to ensure necessary regulations are met. It should be noted that, dependant on the use class of your premises or if your site is within a multiple use building, there may be additional specialist requirements that must be satisfied as outlined in Approved Document Part B. It is also worth noting that, in the case of existing buildings, especially listed buildings or sites of historic interest, these regulations might be too restrictive in which case, an appropriate variation of the solution can be sought in agreement with the appointed building control inspector.

Means of Warning and Escape

In essence this refers to fire alarms, emergency lighting and escape routes.

In most commercial properties an electronically operated fire alarm system and fire detection system is a regulatory requirement (and must comply with BS 5839-1), except in some cases where it is a small building/premises where fire may be detected by the people within the site and a shouted warning could reach all occupants. However, even in these instances, we would recommend that an electronically operated fire alarm system still be installed.

Fire alarm systems are categorised into 3 specifications (which then split into various subcategories):

• Category L – for the protection of life.
• Category M – Manual fire detection and Alarm systems
• Category P – for the protection of Property.

 

A fire alarm will have electronic call points installed, usually along escape routes or near fire escapes, however, in the case of businesses with a lot of visiting customers (such as retail or hospitality units), these may be placed in positions where only staff can access them in order to prevent tampering. In order to protect the hearing impaired and protect them in the case of fire, visual and audible beacons should be utilised, especially on occasion where they may be in relative isolation from the rest of the site (say in an office back of house or in individual letting rooms for example).

When designing a layout, the use, footprint and occupancy of the site must be considered to ensure that an adequate number of escape routes are supplied. In most cases sites should have at least 2 escape routes, however in smaller sites or sites with limited occupancy (up to 60) a single escape route is acceptable as long as it is within the required travel distance, (essentially the distance from the furthest point in the room to the fire escape).

Approved document B provides limits on travel distance, subject to the site`s designated use and number of potential escape routes. If the site only has one escape route the travel distance is greatly reduced, whereas a greater number of escape routes increase the overall allowable travel distance.

It should be noted that the travel distance is not the distance to get you out of the building, but rather the distance to get to another protected area. For example if you were in a small office space, the travel distance is that required to get out of the office into a corridor, assuming that the office door is correctly fire rated (more on that later). Once in the corridor the Travel distance “resets” subject to the number of potential escape routes from that corridor, or the length of the corridor itself. In corridors that exceed the maximum travel distance fire doors may be installed at intervals to ensure maintenance of the protected route.

In properties where your business might be operating across two or more floors, the vertical means of escape (i.e. stairs and lifts) must also be considered. In general, the property should have multiple means of vertical escape although there are allowable dispensations under certain circumstances, for example in smaller properties where the footprint of each floor does not exceed 280 sqm or when escaping from a basement level when the basement in question meets the requirement to reach a storey exit within the allowed travel distance (for a single escape route) and has an occupancy of no more than 60 people. Lift shafts should be suitably lined to prevent the vertical spread of flame between floors.

In properties with multiple use classes, for example a Pub with a flat above, separate vertical escape route should be supplied for each use-class, or a suitable solution found to protect the common shared escape route. In many pubs across the nation the means of escape from the first-floor flat can often be through the ground floor pub. In these cases, adequate protection should be provided in the ground floor trade areas to ensure an effective escape route or best practice would be to provide a secondary escape route by means of a secondary internal escape stair or an external fire escape staircase wherever possible.

Internal Protected stairs should be properly compartmentalised with self-closing fire doors to the top and bottom and linings to walls, ceilings and the underside of stairs to current regulations requirements.

To ensure protection on escape routes and proper compartmentalisation all doors should be fire rated, with any vision panels in the doors being correctly rated to the same manner. Generally, in hospitality and retail businesses doors to either a 30-minute or 60-minute rating are sufficient although in certain circumstances doors with a 90 minute rating are available. In addition, Fire doors should be on suitable self-closers to ensure the doors swing closed once customers or staff have passed through them to maintain compartmentalisation and prevent or delay the spread of the fire.

Doors should always open in the direction of escape to ensure ease of egress, or in certain areas, such as back of house where only staff will use them as an escape route, doors can swing inward however should be addressed within the management risk assessment and procedures.

Doors on escape routes should also be either:

• Not fitted with a lock, latch or bolt
• Fitted with simple fastenings which are easy to operate, operable from the side approached by people escaping, operable without a key and operable without having to manipulate more than one mechanism.

 

In general, this means internal doors should be fitted with simple push plates and external doors fitted with “panic bar” fittings. When the business is not trading or empty these doors can be locked, however must be unlocked at all times during trading hours and addressed within the management risk assessments and procedures as noted above.

Doors with electronic locks should be connected to the fire alarm system to automatically unlock them in the event of fire.

Other general provisions on means of escape should include a minimum clear headroom of 2m, suitable flooring to minimise slippiness. Final fire exits should have at least the same minimum width as the escape route it serves and, where ramps are present on escape routes, should meet the provisions described in Approved Document M (access to and use of buildings).

All Escape routes must have adequate artificial lighting that stays illuminated if the main electricity supply fails conforming to BS-5266-1 and Fire escape signage confirming to BS ISO 3864-1 and BS 5499-4.

Internal Fire Spread (Linings)

The intent of the regulations surrounding internal fire spread is to limit or restrict the spread of flame over internal linings (e.g. ceilings, walls, floors etc). The building fabric should make a limited contribution to fire growth including a low rate of heat release.

This is particularly important in main circulation spaces, (in the case of hospitality and retail these are considered the main “trade” areas and access corridors), where linings may contribute to the main spread of flame and potentially prevent occupants from escaping.

In older buildings common with public houses and city centre multi-use sites, and especially listed buildings, where it is not necessarily possible to prove the rating of existing walls and ceilings it may be necessary to paint all surfaces in a suitable intumescent or fire rated paint to ensure the necessary classification is achieved.

Internal Fire Spread (Structure)

The intent of these regulations is prevent, or limit the spread of fire throughout the structure of a building. This can be broken down into the following categories:

• The load bearing elements of the structure are able to withstand the effects of fire without loss of stability for a defined period of time. For example, all steel work should be treated with a suitable intumescent paint to protect the steel from the fire.
• Suitable materials are used to ensure the compartmentation of buildings, (e.g. buildings of multiple use or occupancy). For example all compartment walls should be manufactured to a rating of FR30, FR60, FR90 or FR120, dependant on the building or unit’s use class.
• Suitable fire suppression methods are provided where necessary, e.g. sprinklers.
• Protection of openings in fire separating elements (i.e. compartment walls, floors and ceilings), to maintain continuity of the fire separation. Where it is necessary to penetrate a ceiling, wall or floor, (for example fitting recessed spot lights in a ceiling or pipework penetrating a wall or floor), suitable fire stopping methods should be applied such as using fire rated light fittings, intumescent hoods, or intumescent collars around pipework to ensure the continued integrity of the building lining on the whole.
• The inhibition of unseen spread of fire and smoke through cavities, through the installation of cavity barriers. In sites with concealed floor or roof spaces, cavity barriers should be installed to prevent the spread of flame between floors or zones, (e.g. multiple letting rooms on an upper floor with a large roof space above) or, to reduce the need for cavity barriers a fire resisting ceiling can be installed.

 

As an example, if a fire were to break out in a letting room and penetrate the ceiling, its spread to the other letting rooms would be managed or limited by the cavity barriers in the voids. Without those barriers the fire would be able to spread freely throughout the top of the building and penetrate into all the letting rooms on that floor.

As you have no doubt gathered through reading this article, fire safety in commercial properties can be a regulatory minefield and this article only scratches the surface of the full approved document B. If you require assistance with reaching building control compliance in fire safety, or any of the other approved documents please contact the designers at MGI. We are only too happy to help.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a minimalist laundry service design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, 4SPACE Design.

Whites sets the benchmark as a next-generation premium dry-cleaning and laundry service, known for its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of garment care. The design of the shop is pivotal in attracting customers and providing a comfortable and functional space. It plays a crucial role in creating an inviting atmosphere that reflects Whites’ commitment to excellence while ensuring customers feel at ease during their visits. The design embodies a refined and thoughtful approach creating Whites a modern and functional space that is both inviting and inspiring.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client’s brief for Whites was to create a distinctive dry-cleaning and laundry service located within Dubai Hills Mall that defies conventional expectations. The aim was to design an environment that encourages visitors to embark on a conceptual exploration while utilizing garment care services.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design of Whites was inspired by a fusion of modernity, tranquility, and sustainability. The carefully curated color palette of pristine white and serene sky blue imparts a harmonious and open ambiance. The mesmerising epoxy flooring, with its gradient of blue, mirrors the transformative nature of Whites’ services. Sustainability was a driving inspiration, evident in the selection of state-of-the-art equipment and a commitment to minimising environmental impact.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest hurdle our team overcame during the project was achieving the delicate balance between minimalism and functionality. Ensuring that every chosen element held significance and purpose while maintaining a clean and uncluttered space required meticulous design and planning.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight of our team’s journey with Whites was the creation of the main counter, a sophisticated blend of Corian and acrylic accents. This elegant centerpiece, illuminated by gentle, indirect lighting, symbolises the intimate connection between our knowledgeable staff and valued patrons.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID Awards driven by the exceptional standout of Whites’ design. The project’s unique combination of conceptual exploration, sustainability, and its transformative impact on the garment care experience we believe in the project’s unique standout.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being chosen as an Award Finalist in the SBID Awards is a testament to the remarkable standout of Whites’ design. It reaffirms our commitment to innovative and purposeful design that leaves a lasting impression. This recognition elevates our reputation in the design community and underscores our dedication to sustainability and excellence, enhancing our appeal to potential clients and partners.

Questions answered by Firas Alsahin, Co-Founder and Design Director at 4SPACE Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a neutral and biophilic salon design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Cocoon & Bauer.

Additional Lengths, a leading hair extension and hair care products brand based in Teesside, sought to relocate their salon and store from their original site on the outskirts of Stockton to a more central location in the town centre. They approached Cocoon & Bauer with a straightforward yet powerful brief: to create a unique and awe-inspiring ‘Super Salon’ that had never been seen before in the region. The client wanted their new building in Wellington Square to be stripped back to its bare bones, creating a breath taking and unforgettable environment which would leave customers in awe the moment they walked through the door.

What was the client’s brief? 

Our client approached us with a brief of bringing their vision to life and designing a space that was functional for Additional Lengths. Previously, Additional Lengths had a retail store and a salon, but these spaces were separated. Our task was to combine the two spaces, allowing them to expand their retail and salon space.

Photo backdrops were an important factor to the space, which will be changed every season and will allow clients to get their photographs taken in front of different backdrops for social media with their new hair. Lighting was an important feature that the client requested, as it was important for the space to be appropriately lit for purpose, but also to allow each bespoke element to become a feature. The overall aesthetics needed to hit the brief of being modern, clean, and neutral but reflect pops of colour from the branding.

What inspired the design of the project?

The beginning of any project is so exciting – it’s the stage where we can lay all our initial ideas on the table and start sketching on a blank plan. We got the layout to work and then we started to add some meat to the bones. To keep the space neutral, we used a lot of oak in the space, which compliments the neutral tones and allows the pinks and purples throughout the interior to pop. With the space having high ceilings, we knew the display and salon area had to make a real impact. To contrast the neutrals, the design also features greenery and introduces biophilic design. Quirky features such as the ‘Fuel Bar’ and the ‘Additional Lengths’ phone box added a fun element – (unfortunately, if you call AL the phone box doesn’t ring).

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Due to the concrete flooring of the space, we couldn’t move the services or amend the fall of the pipe work. We added a step up to the backwash area, so this coincided with the plumbing. The backwash area sits on a step up, which zones off this area and makes it a real feature.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

I have a few highlights, there were a lot of bespoke elements (pretty much everything) to this project and seeing this project stage by stage, was so exciting! Our team going in at the end and cleaning, staging, and making final touches just made the whole project complete. Seeing the Additional Lengths team’s reaction was also a highlight, as this had been kept a secret from most! Having happy clients is one of the best feelings.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We wanted to showcase this project and enter the SBID awards to show off our hard work that we are very proud of.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a finalist is a huge deal for all of us – we were all so excited when we got the news. We’re very thrilled to attend the awards and be part of this opportunity.

Questions answered by Casey Hall, Interior Designer at Cocoon & Bauer.

What does designing a retail space in the modern era look like? Online shopping is at an all-time high, so how do you offer your customers the convenience they’ve come to expect with the human connection they so desperately crave?

The answer is balance.

And such balance is something being carefully created by the folks at River Island, a storied fashion brand that’s been delivering elevated looks to the streets of Britain for over half a century.

Innovative Technologies, Improved Customer Experience

With roots on the prestigious Kings Road of London, River Island now has over 250 locations across the UK, and in addition to trending fashions, River Island also has its hand in trending technologies.

River Island’s solution to creating exciting in-person shopping experiences comes in the form of River Studios. This concept “introduces a modernised take on the retailer’s brand while paying homage to its craftsmanship and family business culture,” per Retail Focus.

The most interesting aspect of River Island is “Chloe,” an AI styling system that personalises customers’ shopping experience. The clothing found in River Studios will feature washable tags that will register with Chloe through mounted touch screens throughout the retail space and changing rooms, helping shoppers find more of what they love.

Additionally, a Digital Click and Collect point using Chloe’s computer systems creates a faster way for customers to find the exact pieces of clothing they’re looking for.

This technology, blended with the advantages of in-person shopping — being able to try on clothes, seeing fabrics in person, and participating in a curated space — will create a new feel for the brand’s retail locations.

“Retail is at its best when it’s evolving and adapting to best suit the needs of shoppers, and we’re no different. River Studios delivers a modern, seamless experience fit for the high street of today,” Will Kernan, River Island CEO, told Retail Focus.

Creating the Retail Spaces of the Future with Vectorworks Architect

Technology-focused storefronts for the River Island brand will be designed by Hannah Boulter using Vectorworks Architect. Boulter has long leaned on Vectorworks Architect to aid in her design work for River Island, mainly using 2D drawings to plan out new stores and renovations to existing stores, in addition to adding the Chloe system and changing room touch screens.

But as the company pushes to improve its retail offerings, she’s also looking to improve how she uses the software. Boulter is now working with Kesoon Chance, Vectorworks senior industry specialist – interiors, to use Vectorworks’ data-centric features for a more automated design process.

With tools like custom record formats, data tags, and reports, Boulter will be able to streamline how she designs in Vectorworks, just like how River Island is improving the shopping experience for their customers.

“Kesoon and I went over things like our merchandise fixtures around the store,” said Boulter, “and each fixture has a typical number of arms. Before, we’d send the design to our manufacturer, and they’d go around and have to count all the fixtures by hand. There’s so much room for human error.”

Now, Boulter and her River Island team have a formula that quickly calculates the number of arms for each merchandise fixture and automatically tabulates them into a table to share with manufacturers.

To learn more about how to use data management features in Vectorworks Architect, click here.

Learn More About Designing Influential Retail Spaces

Want to design modern, engaging retail spaces like River Island’s? Look no further than this webinar, “Data-Driven 3D Modelling for Interiors.”

In this presentation — inspired by an elegant retail interiors project located in Tokyo by designers Mana & Takashi Kobayashi, IMA Inc. — Luis M. Ruiz, interior associate AIA, will discuss how you can increase your efficiency and win more work with an integrated data-driven 3D modelling process.

Your workflow is no longer just about providing 2D drawings and details; great visualisations and smart take-offs can all be a part of your design process. BIM for interiors is a more thoughtful way to design, organise, and face today’s challenges in the industry.

Click here to watch the webinar for free.

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If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a traditional and tranquil retail design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Aurora Design.

By using bamboo as the main theme, Jin Tea creates a modern retail environment for tea. The projection of bamboo leaves sets a serene atmosphere, while varying heights of bamboo leaves and slabs and bamboo shadow glass walls, adding texture and an oriental charm. Transitioning through the bamboo shadow creates a deep landscape, with the design integrating modern and traditional elements, hidden functionalities, and an enhanced sense of dimension. Jin Tea embodies the dynamic vitality and charm of traditional culture.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client wants to create a wonderfully blended tea retail space infused with Eastern culture, offering a harmonious integration of tradition and modernity, and providing visitors with a tranquil and emotionally resonant experiential environment.

What inspired the design of the project?

Eastern Elegance and Balance:
We emphasize the infusion of Eastern elegance into the design, utilising elements like bamboo shadows and green lighting to create a sense of beauty rooted in Eastern culture. Simultaneously, the article underscores the significance of balance by integrating ancient civilisations with modern aesthetics, thereby crafting a romantic and joyful space that offers urban dwellers a relaxing environment.

Feminine Perspective and Emotional Expression:
We have honed an ethereal beauty from a feminine perspective, projecting emotional perception. The design strives for simplicity and understated elegance, conveying a sense of inner calm and contentment while resonating with the modern urban dweller’s yearning for nature and tranquility.

Modern Interpretation of Tea Culture:
We endeavor to draw inspiration from Yunnan’s rich tea culture, intertwining traditional tea heritage with contemporary space to present fresh design concepts. By eschewing conventional embellishments in the tea space, we create a pleasant and tranquil ambiance, allowing individuals to experience serenity and relaxation amidst the bustling cityscape.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The design challenge lies in seamlessly integrating traditional tea culture with modern aesthetics while catering to diverse market demands. Among these, the material aspect challenge involves identifying materials that can effectively depict bamboo leaf shadows and bamboo silhouettes, as well as combining the bar counter’s slate and the green bamboo shadow glass wall, ensuring texture and a natural effect. On the other hand, understanding market demands requires us to fully consider consumers’ experiential and emotional triggers in the tea space, while providing personalised shopping experiences. Timing and communication are also challenges, seizing the right timing in design execution and thorough communication with clients to ensure alignment between design direction and expected goals. In facing these challenges, creativity and innovation will be key factors for success.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The innovation of this project lies in its ingenious fusion of traditional tea culture and modern design. Through the projection and interplay of bamboo leaf shadows, an ethereal and tranquil atmosphere is crafted, imparting consumers with the serene and distant tranquility of nature. Moreover, the bar counter combines rock slabs and green bamboo shadow glass walls, infusing an Oriental charm that enriches the space with tactile richness and natural variation. Expansive installations of bamboo-mimicking hard materials envelop the surroundings, creating a deep and immersive scenic arrangement that imparts a sense of dimensionality and dynamic “illusions.” Utilising a minimalist approach with concise leaf-like contours and gradient green lighting, an aesthetic of understated simplicity is established between reality and illusion. This distinctive design combines tea culture and modern aesthetics, yielding fresh outcomes in the market and captivating consumers seeking unconventional experiences.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

SBID International Design Award is a highly regarded international design awards, participation allows our work to gain broader international recognition and exposure. It enables our design creations to undergo professional evaluation, offering feedback from experts and peers. This helps us understand the strengths of our design and areas for improvement, fostering personal growth and enhancement. SBID International Design Award’s ceremony, exhibitions, and events also provide designers with a platform to engage with peers, industry professionals, and potential clients. This can lead to the emergence of new business opportunities and collaborative partnerships.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

The shortlisted entries are showcased globally, offering an opportunity to capture the attention of industry professionals, media, and potential clients. Winning this award can serve as a source of pride for the team, boosting confidence and bestowing us with honor. By shortlisted in high-level design competitions like SBID International Design Awards, we can set an example for the entire design industry, propelling its advancement and elevating design standards.

Questions answered by Yang Xuewan, Chief Designer and Founder of Aurora Design.