Growth of Shopfitting after WW2

With World War 2 (WW2) ending in 1945, Australia made a speedy recovery and by 1950, the upward movement of the economy ultimately laid the platform for unbelievable growth and prosperity for the years ahead. With plenty of work available in every area, the working Australian found new wealth and a better standard of living which included home ownership, telephones and the ability to buy a car. Cars had previously been considered a luxury item, but became more affordable with Holden manufacturing locally and made available to the market in 1948. There was an air of supreme confidence through the nation.

Another most significant event was the influx of British and European immigrants who brought with them their own cultures, skills, ambitions and spending power. Many were engaged in major projects such as the Snowy Mountain Scheme and Warragamba Dam, but quite a few found work in the shopfitting industry. The influence of these immigrants was felt across all aspects of Australian life.

It was now that retailers started to pursue the overseas trends in merchandising in the form of self-selection and self-service, which made the decade of the 1950s perhaps one of the most significant for retailing. New store layouts and concepts and the introduction of modular fixtures, combined with slotted stripping and adjustable brackets became popular.
By 1955, Woolworths had opened its first variety full checkout store at Beverly Hills in Sydney and so the die was cast. Many of the small grocery chains adopted the self-serve concept but most faded or were absorbed when Woolworths and Coles decided to enter the food retailing market and by 1960, Woolworths became the first Australia-wide food retailer. A whole new industry had been created in shopfitting to supply fixtures and fittings firstly in timber and later in metal, as the requirements became more sophisticated.
Retailing in Australia was to change forever when on the 30th May 1957, the first regional shopping centre was opened in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside, followed by another at Ryde in NSW on 14th November in the same year. A smaller centre in Blacktown NSW was opened in 1959 by John Saunders and Frank Lowey, the founders of Westfield. In October 1960, Chadstone Shopping Centre became the first self-contained centre in Melbourne. These four centres mirrored the American concept of combining retailing with parking, albeit initially open air and were the forerunners to the gradual demise of stand-alone strip and corner shops. As can be seen from the photo of Chadstone, it was originally single level, with an open mall down the middle. Land was cheap then, cheap enough to have parking surrounding the shopping centre.

Most of the existing major CBD retailers were aware of the winds of change and opened smaller versions of their city stores in the suburbs, however many were stand alone stores with no other retail stores around them to attract wide acceptance. As such, they struggled to be successful with devastating end results. It would appear this happened throughout all the states.
During this period, each major retailer had its own development and store planning department, concentrating on the new open display self-serve fixtures and store layouts. Several major retailers also had their own workshops to produce the new fixtures.

Prior to the arrival of the shopping centre concept, retailing and the fittings used had changed little in decades. As shown in the photo of a pharmacy that opened in 1959 (below), the same year as the Blacktown shopping centre. Wall fixtures were full height solid timber, the counter was made from Silver Ash with a padded and quilted vinyl front. Even in the time of cheap labour, this was an expensive fitout and one designed to last much longer than the standard centre lease.

Change did not happen overnight, but with the rapid spread of centres around the country, it was inexorable. The emphasis was on modular concepts, boosted by the need for centres to have the ability for flexible tenancy areas. Faced with non-load bearing inter-tenancy walls, the design of fixtures dramatically changed with the introduction of more metal components utilising slotted tube and engaging adjustable brackets. These designs embraced the new approach to merchandising and gave management the ability to economically move the fittings around the store, changing displays at will in almost every department and the word “flexibility” became part of retail jargon.

The high traffic volumes in centres led to changes in how stores were laid out. Where previously the customer came into a store knowing what they wanted, the challenge now was to attract the passing traffic into the store on impulse. Display units were designed to encourage self-selection, merchandising where products on offer could easily be handled by customers from racks, tables and floor stands which were later known as gondolas which had wide applications.

Centralised cash wrap counters were introduced, which placed staff on the sales floor ready to serve customers and ultimately this led to the rationalisation of sales personnel.
By the mid 1960s the stage was set for the future of retail as we know it today. As the number of centres grew exponentially, there was a need for a substantial re-think of both the processes and methods required as well as the use of the ever-increasing number of new materials.

The History of ASOFIA

Next year, 2017, is the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASOFIA. To mark the event, Interior Fitout will present a series of articles over the coming issues highlighting not only the history of the association, but also of the stories and the issues that fuelled its development. We will also acknowledge some of the key players who were instrumental in establishing the association.

More broadly, we will look at how the industry began, what it looked like, how it developed, and the many and various reasons why it did so.

The first association of shopfitters was formed in NSW sometime in 1927, however it did not survive. The reason for this is unknown, but the Great Depression of the 1930’s may well have had some bearing.

In early 1967 a small group of shopfitters met for a pre-arranged meeting in the Marble Bar at the Adams Hotel in Sydney (pictured above) to discuss the formation of an association of NSW shopfitters The meeting had been brokered by the NSW Employers Federation, and as a result of that meeting, the first general meeting of the Master Shop and Office Fitters Assoc. of NSW was held at Adams Hotel on 20 July 1967.

The 17 companies attending were amongst the most prominent firms of the day. Sadly, 50 years on, only two are still in existence. Those attending the inaugural meeting are listed opposite.

At this meeting, chaired by Bob Johnson of R. A. Johnson Wagga, Bill Sparkes of Sparkes and Colquhoun was elected President, Doug Johnson of James Sandy and Arthur McPherson of McPherson & Davies were elected Vice Presidents and Emile Barden, Eric Soul (pictured), Bryan Sidgreaves and Bob Johnson were elected to the management committee. Bryan Sidgreaves as inaugural President, with QLD, SA, WA and TAS joining the Association in due course.

Over time, the need for change became apparent and in 1994 the national committee agreed to form ASOFIA, allowing the opening up of membership to any individual or company who had a vested interest in the industry such as suppliers, associated trades and subcontractors.

With the appointment of Gerard Ryan as our executive director, many aspirations of the national committee came to fruition, and the organisation has since grown beyond all expectations.

Amongst the many practical successes of the Association is the ongoing involvement with training through TAFE and the establishment of the post trade Project Management certificate course. Just as important is the interaction and friendships formed, fostering co-operation and consultation with our peers and an enhanced awareness of the importance of the industry by retailers, designers and shopping centre management.

CreativeCubes.Co

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CreativeCubes.Co is a hospitality company and platform that converts buildings into thriving coworking spaces and communities. The sites are located in Richmond, Hawthorn, South Melbourne and Collingwood. One of the more recent sites opened is in the heart of Carlton.

The building is among excellent company, in a prime location surrounded by some of Melbourne’s most interesting cultural venues, cafés and restaurants. The space can be found situated within the Lygon Court precinct, tucked behind the iconic Italian café and pasticceria, Brunetti’s, with Cinema Nova and the Italian museum and historical society in close proximity. The rear of the tenancy leads directly onto Drummond Street, allowing pedestrian access.

Lygon Court was an ex-pram factory, demolished in 1980 and later used as an alternative theatre. It has now been totally reimagined into a sophisticated, modern and lively co-working and events space, attracting a broad array of Melbourne’s top-notch entrepreneurs and business executives.

THE BRIEF

This vibrant and energetic 2,000 sqm coworking space was designed by the team at Corso Interior Architecture and spans over two levels. CreativeCubes.Co – Carlton is a diverse space that feels like an extension of the local area. With a spacious and relaxed cocktail lounge
atmosphere, the team at Corso has transformed this former inner-city, dated office building into a warm and welcoming oasis, complimenting the surrounding hustle and bustle of the lively suburb of Carlton.

Inside, the space is a collaboration of dark finishes, plush leather couches, polished concrete floors and an abundance of natural light. Greenery is generously used to create a sense of calm. The Happiness desk is the in-house concierge service that provides helpful and friendly assistance to CreativeCube.Co users. The bricks used on the Happiness desk located near the entrance on the ground floor mimic that of the facade of the building, bringing the outside in. The skeleton of the building had exposed brick walls which were retained in many parts in order to showcase the original look and maintain elements of the history and style of the original building.

Large murals featuring global themes, foods and flowers helps to create an international vibe. Art features emphasise the thriving diversity of the workspace and match that of the surrounding precinct. From colourful murals such as a Japanese cherry blossom tree to a world map featuring a variety of flowers, each piece brings interest and introduces vibrant colours into the interior space.

Colourful pops of neon are found throughout the interior and clever restroom signage helps to elevate the sense of playfulness in the space. This continues to be a theme throughout the ground floor meeting rooms from an African themed Hakuna Matata space with cheeky tiger print wallpaper, to the Super Mario meeting room with fun and quirky noughts and crosses gameboard wall, complete with gaming inspired flooring.

The floor levels are linked by a bespoke staircase. The modern black patina-ed structure winds up through the ground floor to the first floor and draws the eye as a focal point in the room. The main boardroom situated on the ground level features a herringbone white-wash wall,
complemented by industrial glass walls and pendants.

High quality goat hair carpets with simple, elegant patterns are used throughout the meeting rooms.

Positioned directly above the staircase to the east of the building is a large glazed opening that washes the interior below in natural light and filters deeply into the open plan area of the first floor. The client brief was to maximise natural light so the gable skylight roof was the perfect solution allowing for the offices to be designed around this central focal point

THE CHALLENGES

There were three key design challenges; spatial design to maximise the buildings use, allowing for an abundance of natural light, and acoustic considerations for users.

Firstly, from a project viability perspective, the client wanted to ensure that the office space was fully utilised whilst still creating a sense of openness and spaciousness. The team at Corso was able to maximise the space to ensure that every private office and open area has an abundance of light and spaciousness, and each area feels generous and roomy.

Secondly, it was equally important that the layout allowed for an abundance of natural light to filter in and throughout the venue, providing light and bright meeting rooms, offices and minimising the reliance on artificial lighting therefore reducing energy costs. This was achieved through the use of the central large gabled roof on level one. This large glazed opening allowed for generous amounts of natural light to fill the space and was supplemented by strategically placed catenary lighting.

Thirdly, all of the offices were designed with a wall type that minimises sound. Open and communal spaces were filled with a mixture of high-backed seating and booths as well as cleverly placed furniture arranged to create a sense of a semi private spaces.

UNIQUE SOLUTIONS FOR A CONNECTED SPACE

Soundproof phone booths that are acoustically lined are an innovative feature that minimises noise. Noise is often a complex aspect of collaborative work spaces, creating design challenges. To combat this, scattered throughout level one of the building are soundproof booths with vacuum sealed doors creating private little cocoons for important and sensitive business matters to be discussed. Choice of materiality such as acoustic lining in meeting rooms and carpeted floors also help to minimise noise pollution.

Melbournians are craving human connection, a sense of community and the revival of connectiveness. The space at CreativeCubes.Co – Carlton delivers all of these in spades. This co-working space fosters connection, collaboration and networking.

Thai Room Adelaide Central – fitout by Total Fitouts

Total Fitouts presents Thai Room, a transformative commercial hospitality fitout nestled in the heart of Adelaide CBD.

Spearheaded by Brett Kelly and Total Fitouts Adelaide Central, the project aimed to metamorphose a vacant commercial tenancy into a haven of luxury and romance.

The interior is dark, moody, mysterious, and draped in captivating dark green and burgundy hues, hand-selected to mirror the restaurant’s commitment to creating a true food destination showcasing traditional Thai food with a contemporary twist.

The comprehensive scope of work included the creation of an enticing entry space, an alluring outdoor seating area, a capacious dining section, clever storage display solutions, a fully functional kitchen, amenities and more.

The in-house commercial interior design team sought to encapsulate the essence of a rich and warm garden with its dark green and burgundy red hues, creating an elegant and mysterious ambience. The ultimate objective was to craft an intimate and cosy atmosphere seamlessly marrying the kitchen and wine room experience.

The exterior of Thai Room, the facade of the commercial hospitality fitout, boasts a dark green exterior adorned with bespoke signage that immediately captures the attention of passers-by.

Upon entering, patrons are welcomed into a waiting area featuring a Venetian plastered archway feature, a recurring motif that is skillfully mirrored throughout the space. Custom signage and a gold accent table contribute to the warm and elegant ambience, providing a prelude to the culinary journey that awaits within.

Brett and his team of skilled fitout experts executed a commercial hospitality fitout of unparalleled quality, characterised by lofty ceilings, handcrafted archways, dark green walls, and a textured exposed stone wall. The centrepiece of the dining area is a custom dark marble bar counter featuring exquisite burgundy tiles, which exude sophistication and command attention. White-covered tables and comfortable seating, complemented by burgundy cushions, seamlessly integrate with the overarching theme.

The dark marble extends throughout the room, offering a striking contrast to the concrete texture beneath, infusing a contemporary flair into the traditional setting.

Commercial Interior Designer Danielle Camerlengo, shared insights into the design elements, stating, “Hanging exposed lighting fixtures, a large lamp at the back of the restaurant, and small table lamps create a captivating and mood-enhancing lighting scheme, adding to the luxurious and moody hospitality fitout. Additional features include a custom burgundy wooden wine glass display cabinet, a restored dark green fireplace, and a grand chandelier that complements the traditional and classy ambience.”

The choice of concrete flooring ensures durability against foot traffic, while the restoration of natural features within the building contributes to a timeless yet modern feel. To complete the immersive experience, carefully placed candles, wine bottles showcased in burgundy wooden cabinetry displays, and strategically positioned plants enhance the rich and warm garden atmosphere, enveloping patrons in an unparalleled dining experience at Thai Room.

Total Fitouts Adelaide Central takes pride in delivering a bespoke commercial hospitality fitout that not only meets the functional requirements of Thai Room but also exceeds expectations by creating an ambience that is a perfect blend of tradition, sophistication, and modernity.

With the completion of this project, Thai Room now stands as a testament to Total Fitouts Adelaide Central’s commitment to excellence in commercial fitouts.

PHOTO – Billie Philips & Manuel Lainas, Lumiant Photography

What’s on the colour horizon in 2024?

What can we expect 2024 to bring in terms of colour trends? In short, it will be an equal split between playful palettes and comforting hues.

Forecasting colour trends begins with research. We need to look to multiple sources to see both what’s happening around the world and locally, and from there we can piece together accurate predictions for what’s about to rise in popularity.

Our first resource to look to is the fashion world. Traditionally, commercial interior design takes its cues from residential trends, and residential gets its inspiration from fashion.

Looking this year’s collections from international fashion designers such as Carolina Herrera, Coach, Phillip Lim, JW Anderson and Proenza Schouler, there were distinct colour themes running throughout all their runway shows: purple, green, blue and red.

Of course, nothing is ever this straight-forward. Within this basic range of colours lies a swag of subtle hues and shades that are coming to the fore.

Purple – This year it’s all about lilacs and lavenders, not too pink and not too blue. This versatile hue works in cooler palettes like against concrete floors and soft grey walls. It also contrasts well with natural materials, like bronze, gold and timber.

Green – Maybe it’s the perpetual chatter about the environment, maybe its because we were all cooped up for so long during lockdown, but green is back. It’s a bold choice, but because it’s a forgiving colour, it can lend itself to multiple industries, from restaurants and bars, through to homeware stores even beauty salon fitouts.

Blue –There are two shades of blue to get into this year, navy and powder blue. Both are a calming and serene interior option. Navy adds dramatic effect, whilst not being too shouty. Powder blue harks back to the 1960s, to the nostalgia of a time when everything didn’t feel as serious as it does now.

Red – It starts with cherry red and escalates into soft dusty pinks. Cherry red is not for the faint-hearted. When used correctly, it’s a pseudo-neutral, when used incorrectly, it’s oppressive. The soft dusty pinks are a little tricky too to incorpaote in interiors. The soft pinks look friendly enough, but if they’re not supported by matching pastels, they quickly err on the side of tacky.

Our second source of insight for colour forecasting is to look at the world we’re living in.

With 24-hour news cycles, social media feeds, and the threat of ever-increasing interest rates, our lifestyles have become a bit more stressful. This affects trends because colour has a big impact on mood and mindset.

If we cast our minds back to the 1970s in Australia, it was a relatively free and easy time – we only had one phone in the house, we worked 9-5 with the weekends off, and even seatbelts were optional. Maybe because we all had more slack in the rope, the colour trends at the time were loud and unapologetic. There was a kaleidoscope of burnt orange kitchens, bright yellow laundries and lime green bathrooms strewn across Australia.

Now, with our more complicated lifestyles, we prefer softer palettes to seek refuge in for a sense of calm. Neutrals in every shade of beige will retain their popularity for the foreseeable future, along with cream, apricot and peach shades.

Lastly, we look to the past to see what trends we’ve most recently come from. As we watch the back of Scandinavian Minimalism and The Hamptons ‘50 Shades of Grey’ interiors, their love of natural materials and surroundings has made a lasting impact.

Taking inspiration from the organic hues of timber, terracotta and stonework, we’re seeing spectrums of sandy tones. Blues inspired by the sea and greens derived from the forest round out this palette.

This colour trend immediately invokes calm so it’s possibly best used in office fitouts where providing an environment to easily concentrate in is a key objective.

These three distinctly different colour palettes can all stand alone, but their real strength lies when they’re used together to support each other – sounds a bit like what we might all need more of in 2024.

The Reimagining of Westfield Knox

WESTFIELD KNOX HAS UNDERGONE A $355 million transformation, to create a true lifestyle destination for Melbourne’s East.

One of the largest shopping centres in Melbourne, Westfield Knox is located at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, approximately 25 kilometres east of the CBD. The centre is strategically located within a 30-minute drive of more than 2 million people and is accessible by major arterial roads, including the Monash and Eastern Freeways.

Optimising existing space, to become essential

The departure of a department store which anchored the western end of the centre in 2021, fast-tracked the complete redesign and redevelopment of the existing centre. Taking back this space created an opportunity to reconsider the existing footprint to deliver a product, services and experience mix that could better serve the community into the future.

The vision for the reimagined Westfield Knox was informed by the customer. Extensive stakeholder consultation was undertaken with the local community to understand their needs and interests, including what they want to see and experience in their local Westfield destination.

Reflecting on the feedback, Westfield Knox Centre Manager, Kristian Nicholls said:

“Our customers were really the brains trust behind the vision for this development. Their feedback and input helped shape the transformation.

“Their passion for living active, healthy lifestyles, spending time with family, and coming together for social experiences really stood out. They also told us they value working close to nature, embracing culture and diversity and education.

“This enabled us to explore diverse community and retail experiences and usages that typically, you wouldn’t find in a shopping centre.

“It was really the start of the evolution from traditional shopping centre experience to a destination that is essential to the local community. A place that encourages more people to visit and spend more of their time. A huge leap forward in customer experience.” said Nicholls.

The development has opened in a number of stages, with the final elements to come in 2024.

Stage 1

A new gourmet marketplace, featuring major supermarkets Woolworths and ALDI, and an elevated selection of specialty fresh food, quick-eats and more.

Stage 2

An enhanced fashion and lifestyle offering. The precinct is anchored by Rebel and JB Hi-Fi, as well as a full-sized basketball court. Basketball is the local community’s sport of choice. A total of 12,500 people accessed the new Westfield Knox basketball court within its first month of opening.

The new external kids play area was also launched with stage 2. The kids play was inspired by the flora and fauna of the nearby Dandenong Ranges with three levels of play representing trees, land and sky, as well as the creatures that inhabit them.

Stage 3

The new food court featured a mix of sought-after food operators providing the Westfield Knox community with a variety of options to choose from. This included  the introduction of popular national brands Mad Mex, KFC, Chatime, Roll’d, Subway and Soul Origin, and the addition of A+HK Café, Bonbons Bakery, and New Era Dumplings, alongside local favourite Royal Donuts.

The reimagined food court was designed with families in mind and features a range of seating options in a light filled, fresh and vibrant setting with lush greenery along with the introduction of a new slimline high pixel Superscreen.

Stage 4

The new mini-major retail precinct opened Thursday 22 November with the unveiling of the brand-new fashion and lifestyle precinct on Level 2, with UNIQLO, JD Sports, Glue Store and General Pants Co opening to customers just in time for Black Friday sales.

Key design elements in this precinct included a grand vaulted ceiling and centralised skylight, take inspiration from nature to create a sympathetic installation that breathes life and light into the area, connecting it with the lower level. A dynamic lighting installation transforms the skylight throughout the day, replicating the colours of the sky from morning sunrise to midday sun, right through to sunset and dusk.

A 25-metre swimming pool will also offer swimming lessons for children up to 12 years of age. Located at the new Northern Entry, the swim school will feature quality amenities and programs to service the local community.

Still to come in 2024: the opening of the new Knox Public Library, co-working facility, and several new entertainment and fashion experiences.

Other upgrades

A whole-of-centre ambience strategy was established to ensure the centre reads as one and reads as new. The ambience refresh focused on maximising sunlight and introducing natural elements such as timber and greenery.

A significant amount of trees and plantings have been introduced throughout the mall area and a new timber skylight and ceiling design also remain key features. Flooring, amenities, finishes and fixtures have all been upgraded to visually unite the centre precincts.

Throughout the evolution of Westfield Knox, reducing the environmental impact has been a key priority. Existing spaces and buildings were retained and repurposed and the incorporation of biophilic design brought nature inside for customers to enjoy. The redevelopment also included the installation of over 3,500 solar panels, on-site rainwater harvesting, a new onsite glass crushing system, a food waste composting system and new smart bin recycling technology in the food court.

Mr Nicholls added: “The transformation of Westfield Knox to date has been extraordinary. Feedback from our customers has shown our community feels like it’s been listened to, and really values the experiences we’ve been able to create and deliver for it. We’re looking forward to seeing more of our customers spending more time in centre, with us.”

For more information about the transformation at Westfield Knox, please visit www.westfield.com.au/knox.

Leading the Way: Transforming business with sustainable practices

As a certified social enterprise, Circonomy provides circular services that mobilise otherwise dormant goods by repairing, refurbishing and rehoming products, creating positive impacts for people and the planet in the process.   

Starting from humble beginnings as a neighbourhood garage sale in 2013 as the World’s Biggest Garage Sale, Circonomy has celebrated a decade of transformative impact, reshaping the way Australians perceive and interact with dormant goods. This remarkable journey began with Founder and Chief Evangelist, Yas Grigaliunas, who recognised the untapped potential of unused items in homes, offices, and retail stores and set out to mobilise them for the benefit of those in need.

Circularity is becoming popular in consumer markets, with growing refurbishment efforts within traditional retailers. However, Circonomy is breaking new ground by championing the integration of circularity in business-to-business (B2B) environments. By pioneering this approach, Circonomy is setting the stage for a more comprehensive and impactful adoption of circular practices across various sectors through circular services – including through large-scale sustainable de-fit and re-fit solutions for the property sector.

Growth Through a Consumer-Focused Lens

According to Statista as of 2023, the demand for sustainable goods and services has risen significantly across Australia, with consumers taking into consideration sustainability efforts from businesses they are supporting.

Conscious consumerism is on the rise, and expectations on businesses has never been higher. Consumers are now placing greater emphasis on the alignment between a brand’s values and their actions. Transparency, authenticity and sustainability is in – and greenwashing is out. This shift reflects the values of everyday Australian’s recognising the importance of business accountability and sustainability in their part of reducing environmental impact.

Circonomy has forged partnerships with businesses across various sectors, including across the property industry, retail, education, and hospitality and other large corporates, to develop and implement sustainable practices. This commitment to sustainability has helped fostered business growth while championing sustainable practices that resonate with current values held by the community and consumers.

Sustainability often comes across as daunting, following a linear approach to execution. Circonomy is changing this by providing accessible and comprehensive sustainability solutions. Circonomy’s circular services encompass retail solutions, sustainable office defits and refits, refurbished tech, circular asset management, and sustainable operations to make sustainability possible in all aspects of business.

Circonomy’s services have been developed to target sustainable solutions for businesses across a number of industries, and are tailored to meet your needs.  Through partnerships and case studies, Circonomy has developed innovative and structured sustainability practices to help Australian businesses scale up to one that is aligned with current values amongst the community and addresses the impact of commercial waste in Australia.

Mirvac and Circonomy Project: Pioneering Circular Office Spaces

In Melbourne, an exciting collaboration between Mirvac and Circonomy unfolded, showcasing a commitment to circularity and sustainability. The goal of this project was to transform office spaces, unlock new social procurement opportunities, and make a positive social and environmental impact.

Mirvac and Circonomy embarked on an ambitious project together, aiming to remove items and materials from 12 floors with the goal of diverting 100% of these materials from landfill. With the expertise provided by Circonomy, they offered an end-to-end solution to maximize the value of the resources removed during the strip-out process, effectively aligning with Mirvac’s sustainability goals.

This partnership successfully:

  • repurposed and rehomed over 3,000 pieces of loose furniture
  • cleaned, removed, and repackaged 792 large commercial blinds
  • removed approximately 7,920 ceiling tiles for reuse
  • protected existing carpet tiles for reuse in the new fitout.

Through this process, 180 tonnes of carbon has been avoided through the reuse of products and materials within the building and the wider community. The collaborative endeavour provided Mirvac with a platform to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, while simultaneously empowering Circonomy to enhance their sustainable defit operations service and extend their reach into Victoria and NSW, and across Australia more broadly.

Circonomy’s remarkable growth is exemplified by the range of circular services it offers to companies, enabling them to embrace sustainable practices and enhance their social and environmental impact. These services serve as a testament to Circonomy’s commitment to driving positive change and empowering businesses to adopt more environmentally conscious approaches. Circonomy may have started over 10 years ago, but their impact is only just beginning as they work to create a world without waste.

Camilla – fitout by Sharpe Fitouts

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The collaboration between Sharpe Fitouts and Site Box Projects has resulted in a fitout project for Camilla, a leading luxury fashion brand, famously known for its creativity, uniqueness, and self-expression. The Camilla boutique store not only reflects the brand’s love for travel but also provides a remarkable shopping experience for customers. With its innovative design […]

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Retail Design – What’s in Store for ’24?

It goes without saying that the retail industry is a vast landscape that covers everything from one-off stores, to chains, franchisees, and licensees. With such a big industry, trend forecasting happens within the category sub-sectors, driven by customer needs and expectations, and the pop-culture they bounce off.

Looking at the Sportswear, Luxury and Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR) sectors, there are clear trends we’re seeing on the horizon of 2024 that will shape retail design in the coming years.

SPORTSWEAR RETAIL

Historically, sportswear stores have taken their design inspiration from the old-school gyms and sports fields their products are designed to be worn on. For decades we’ve seen grungy interiors, complete with cyclone wire panelling, heavy-set steel framed shelving, and blacked-out ceilings throughout sports brand and sports department stores.

Possibly because brands are looking to appeal more to both men and women, or because we’re seeing an unprecedented increase in women’s professional sports leagues around the world, sports stores are evolving. These darker and grittier store interiors are being left behind in favour of more neutral, pale palettes.

We’re seeing more blonde timbers, in raw form, veneer and plyboard. To compliment these paler tones, brands will adopt the soft greys of raw and sealed concrete walls and flooring. Coloured accents will be kept to bare minimum to reduce any potential clashing with the brand’s apparel and visual merchandising.

LUXURY RETAIL

The luxury retail sector has not been immune to the rise and influence of social media. Year on year we’ve seen it become intrinsically linked to pop-culture trends, and we’re seeing this play out in store design direction. There are two distinct styles emerging this year: ‘quiet quality’ and ‘bold and brash’.

Following the success of TV shows like Morning Wars and Succession, fashion has seen a surge in the popularity of Quiet Luxury. Rather than wear garments emblazoned with logos all over it, this fashion trend is about wearing high-end but understated, quality pieces.

These brands show their product’s value with using top quality materials and workmanship in their products, so it makes sense they’ll extend this approach throughout their store design too.

Palettes in this style will be pared back so only the quality shines. Hero details like well-finished shelving units and solid timber panelling will be utilised to communicate the brand’s commitment to quality. Wool or wool-mix carpets with thick underlay will convey to its customers the sense of comfort the brand seeks to deliver. Textured wall finishes in hessian and linen will add subtle detail to store, without screaming for attention.

Then there’s the other side of luxury – brands that are proudly screaming from the rooftops about their latest celebrity collaborations and endorsements. This noise in the market needs to be reflected in store, and brands in this sector are going large with their interior design. Bold monochromatic palettes are being used to wrap stores from the ceiling downwards, and textured textiles like shag pile rugs add another layer of over-the-top detail. Increasing the sparkle is also key here and bevelled edging glazing and crystal chandeliers are on the rise. The trend here is everything to excess, including excess.

QUICK-SERVICE RESTAURANTS

Following the covid pandemic and numerous lockdowns in Australia, the QSR sector is feeling the lasting effects throughout their venues’ design and fitouts.

Delivery services that were already growing in popularity before the lockdowns are now a firm fixture of the QSR experience. To ensure the long-term success of add-on delivery services, QSR brands will need to redefine their customer journey according to their distinctly different needs. POS counters will need to be designed to facilitate customers ordering in store. They’ll also need designated areas to serve the steady stream of delivery drivers picking up their orders. Dual counters or separate walk-up counters, that are easily identifiable to both visitors, will play a critical role in reducing wait times for both.

Although we’re officially well past the lockdowns, unfortunately the labour shortage in Australia continues on. Brands are looking for ways to work around staffing issues and are finding solutions by increasing the physical integration of tech devices in store.

QSR venues will need to be planned with provisions to install networked touchscreens that allow customers to order and pay in real-time. To keep the lines of communication open throughout ordering, there will also need to be an increase of live feed digital screens to keep customers up-to-date with where they are in the process.

This will require that stores are designed with clear sightlines so customers can easily see the right screens at the right times. Fixture design will also need to ensure the correct clearances are made to accommodate hardware and cabling requirements.

As the retail experience constantly evolves to serve the customer, it’s always exciting to watch what trends we’ll see next. It’s looking like 2024 will not disappoint.

 

STORY BY RENEE BALLARD, DESIGN STRATEGIST, LEX DESIGN AGENCY

Aston Martin Flagship – NY

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Aston Martin’s new flagship location brings the highest levels of the iconic British brand’s bespoke service – Q by Aston Martin – to North America for the very first time, providing a sophisticated environment for its most discerning clients to create their own intimately personal Aston Martin.

In collaboration with AZA Design‘s renowned designer Alexander Zilberman, Q New York has been meticulously crafted to transport visitors into the captivating realm of the brand.

As visitors approach Park Avenue, they are greeted by an awe-inspiring window installation known as the “Champagne Frame.” This extraordinary installation boasts one of the largest single panes of glass ever installed in a New York building, providing an enchanting vista of Aston Martin’s iconic models. Illuminated by an exquisite 2,100-bulb chandelier stretching 40 meters, the display mesmerizes onlookers. Stepping inside the flagship, guests are immersed in the epitome of British craftsmanship, evident in every detail. From meticulously designed mosaic tiles to commanding dining tables and a thoughtfully curated selection of elements, Q New York solidifies its position as a distinguished destination on one of the world’s most iconic streets.

On offer is the ultimate blend of digital and physical car configuration, allowing clients to personalise their Aston Martin to the smallest detail. They can visualise their dream Aston Martin on an impressive 10.5m x 3.5m LED wall, providing an ultra-high definition, 360-degree view of any Aston Martin in life-size. A live video link between Manhattan and Aston Martin’s design studio in Gaydon, UK, enables real-time communication with the brand’s designers and the Q by Aston Martin team, providing the most bespoke and sophisticated commissioning experience.

Design BY AZA Design, Alexander Zilberman
Photography courtesy of Aston Martin
Story by AN Shopfitting Magazine: arredanegozi.it