#retailarchitecture

Beyond Display: Architecture as Retail Experience | Feel and Bari

Retail Design, Scaled. 🛒🏪

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Project Highlights:

✅ 24 Custom Assets: From deli counters to checkout kiosks. 

✅ Data Transformation: Converting PDFs/Photos into accurate 3D .rfa files. 

✅ Nationwide Impact: Standardizing design for 500+ locations.

Precision in the model leads to efficiency on the shop floor. 🚀

Japanese studio I IN has introduced a new milestone in coffee architecture by creating Blue Bottle Coffee’s first kiosk in Santa Clara, California. Known for its minimalist yet striking design language, the project represents a significant moment for the brand, which already operates in Asia and the United States. This kiosk, however, differs from previous ventures by adopting a prefabricated stainless-steel structure that redefines flexibility, sustainability, and brand identity.

The kiosk is not just a retail point; it is a conceptual exercise in branding and material efficiency. Its modular design allows for assembly in any location, making it an adaptable solution for urban spaces. Prefabricated stainless-steel components, complemented by subtle yet powerful blue elements, set the tone for the design. The cool industrial feel of the stainless steel is softened by reflective surfaces and contrasted by Blue Bottle’s signature blue, appearing in the logo, the illuminated base, and the louvred canopy above.

This pioneering project demonstrates how architecture can reinforce a brand’s visual identity while embracing modular construction and sustainability. For Blue Bottle Coffee, it offers a consistent, recognizable presence across multiple locations, while for I IN, it shows how architectural language can bridge continents and adapt to diverse contexts. More than a kiosk, it represents a new architectural prototype for retail in the twenty-first century.

Design Vision and Concept

The Blue Bottle Coffee kiosk is conceived as a structure that expresses clarity of brand in any environment. The challenge was to craft a design that balances industrial rigor with emotional resonance. Stainless steel was chosen not only for its durability but also for its reflective qualities, which integrate the kiosk into its surroundings. At the same time, the signature blue provides sharp contrast, ensuring brand recognition even from a distance.

Prefabrication and Modularity

A key design decision was to use prefabricated stainless-steel components. This modular system enables rapid assembly and reduces construction waste, making the kiosk an efficient model for replication. I IN emphasized that this method reduces both time and resource consumption, aligning with contemporary sustainable practices. The modularity also allows the design to be adapted to different locations without compromising the integrity of the brand.

Material Palette

Stainless steel dominates the exterior, creating a minimalist and industrial character. Its reflective finish subtly dissolves the structure into its context, softening its presence. Blue accents appear in carefully curated locations: the canopy above, the glowing base below, and the Blue Bottle logo. These limited yet powerful interventions ensure that the brand identity remains clear without overwhelming the environment.

Lighting as a Design Element

The kiosk employs lighting both as function and as identity. The glowing blue base creates a striking visual anchor at night, while the canopy’s louvres filter daylight in ways that animate the surfaces. According to I IN, light was treated as a fundamental material—capable of connecting emotionally with visitors while enhancing visibility and clarity under all conditions.

Program and Layout

Despite its compact scale, the kiosk accommodates multiple functional zones: a food counter, preparation spaces for coffee and food, a till section, and a staff area. Prefabrication allowed these to be integrated seamlessly, ensuring that operational efficiency was not compromised by the compact footprint. Lighting from above and below highlights these zones, guiding both customers and staff through a clear spatial experience.

Design ElementDescriptionStructurePrefabricated stainless steel modulesSignature ColorBlue Bottle’s signature blue used in canopy, logo, and glowing baseLightingIlluminated base and canopy with louvred ceiling filtersProgramFood counter, coffee prep, till, staff zoneContextual StrategyReflective surfaces to integrate with surroundings Balancing Consistency and Creativity

While individuality in design has aesthetic appeal, I IN emphasizes the value of consistency across multiple retail locations. This kiosk embodies that philosophy by creating a design that is both unique and replicable. The modular approach allows future kiosks to maintain brand identity while adapting to different contexts, reinforcing the brand’s presence without redundancy.

Architectural Narrative

The kiosk speaks a language of contrasts: cool stainless steel against vibrant blue, industrial rigidity softened by reflective dissolution, compact footprint expanded by prefabricated efficiency. It is an architectural object that transcends its commercial role to become a prototype of how small-scale retail spaces can achieve both function and visual resonance.

ChallengeArchitectural ResponseGlobal Material SourcingSelection of mass-produced stainless steel for consistencySustainabilityPrefabrication reduces waste and construction timeBrand IdentityStrategic use of signature blue to ensure visibilitySpatial EfficiencyCompact yet comprehensive layout with clear circulation

Architectural Analysis

The design logic of the kiosk rests on three pillars: material clarity, modularity, and brand articulation. Stainless steel provides neutrality and durability, while blue accents create recognition. The prefabricated system allows for efficient construction and replication, an approach increasingly vital in global retail. Contextually, the reflective surfaces prevent the kiosk from appearing intrusive, while the canopy and lighting strategies introduce dynamic qualities to a compact form.

Critically, while the design achieves clarity and repetition, one might question whether excessive consistency risks diluting the individuality of place. Yet, by embracing reflection, light, and modular flexibility, the project avoids monotony and instead presents a prototype adaptable to varied environments. It is a thoughtful balance of standardization and contextual integration.

Project Importance

This project teaches architects the value of modular construction in retail design, demonstrating how prefabrication can reduce waste, increase efficiency, and ensure brand consistency across geographies. It contributes to architectural thinking by reframing the kiosk not as a secondary retail typology but as a legitimate architectural prototype. The work highlights how material selection and brand articulation can shape both customer experience and construction logic.

In today’s globalized retail market, the project is relevant because it proposes a sustainable and repeatable model that does not compromise design quality. It reflects broader architectural shifts toward modularity, prefabrication, and sustainability, setting a precedent for how future small-scale commercial spaces might be designed.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Blue Bottle Coffee’s first kiosk in Santa Clara, California, designed by studio I IN, introduces a striking approach to modular retail architecture. Constructed entirely from prefabricated stainless steel components, the kiosk presents a minimalist industrial aesthetic. Signature blue accents in the louvred canopy, illuminated base, and discreet branding create a visual dialogue with the cool metallic surfaces, while natural light enhances both texture and identity.

Although the design communicates clarity and strong brand expression, it raises questions about sustainability and user experience within such a compact setting. Stainless steel offers durability, but its environmental cost is tied to manufacturing and transport. The modular process reduces waste and accelerates construction, yet the limited interior may challenge comfort and the potential for deeper spatial interaction. The tension between precision and atmosphere is evident.

Still, the kiosk succeeds as a forward-looking experiment in material expression and adaptability. It points toward a flexible model for future urban retail that unites efficiency with distinctive identity.

Conclusion

Blue Bottle Coffee’s first kiosk, designed by I IN, is a compelling study of how retail architecture can embody modularity, sustainability, and brand clarity. Through the use of prefabricated stainless-steel components, the project sets a new standard for efficient, repeatable construction. The signature blue interventions provide a strong brand presence without overwhelming the minimalist palette, achieving a balance of industrial rigor and emotional resonance.

Beyond its function as a kiosk, the project represents a prototype for future retail architecture. It shows how compact forms can be both visually striking and operationally efficient, addressing challenges of material sourcing, waste reduction, and global consistency. For architects, it offers lessons in balancing brand identity with contextual integration, while for designers, it highlights the potential of prefabrication as a creative rather than restrictive approach.

As Blue Bottle Coffee prepares for future kiosk rollouts, this project signals a broader architectural shift toward modular sustainability and design consistency. It redefines the kiosk as an architectural object that matters—not only in retail, but in the evolving conversation about global design, efficiency, and sustainable construction practices.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums. Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide. ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.

https://archup.net/how-to-design-a-modern-and-distinctive-restaurant-booth/ https://archup.net/modern-manufacturing-techniques/ Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team

Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp.

Heatherwick Studio has designed a striking new boutique for the French luxury brand Longchamp in the Soho neighborhood of New York City. Completed in 2025, the store offers a unique architectural approach that merges retail functionality with the brand’s heritage and design ethos. The project emphasizes the creation of a welcoming and visually engaging environment that allows customers to experience the products in an immersive setting.

The design draws inspiration from natural and organic forms, translating these ideas into sculptural interiors that include curving walls and cylindrical elements. This approach transforms the store into a spatial experience rather than a conventional retail space. Materials such as wood and leather were carefully selected to convey warmth and craftsmanship, while architectural detailing ensures a seamless integration of modern retail requirements. The boutique embodies a dialogue between tradition and innovation, offering both functional spaces for shopping and areas that evoke the elegance of Longchamp’s design heritage. By balancing aesthetics, branding, and customer experience, the project sets a benchmark for contemporary luxury retail architecture.

Architectural Concept and Design

The boutique is conceived as an organic environment where circulation and product display intertwine. Curved display walls guide visitors through the space, creating a sense of discovery and movement. The interiors are flexible and adaptable, accommodating seasonal collections and varying retail configurations. The architecture supports the brand’s storytelling, emphasizing craftsmanship, luxury, and heritage, while maintaining functional efficiency for staff and operational flow.

Program and Spatial Organization AreaFunctionMain Retail FloorProduct display, customer interaction, seasonal collectionsPrivate Consultation AreaVIP service, personalized shopping experienceStorage and Back-of-HouseInventory management, staff operationsDisplay ZonesSculptural elements showcasing key products Materials and Finishes

The boutique uses natural materials such as warm wood and high-quality leather to create an inviting and luxurious atmosphere. Curved walls and cylindrical display units are fabricated with precision to maintain sculptural qualities. Lighting is carefully designed to highlight textures, create depth, and guide visitors through the space. Every material and finish was chosen to reinforce the brand’s identity while supporting durability and functionality.

Architectural Analysis

The design logic emphasizes fluidity, spatial engagement, and brand expression. Curving forms and organic geometries allow seamless circulation while creating visual interest. Material selection conveys warmth and luxury while reinforcing the tactile qualities of the products. The boutique demonstrates how architecture can go beyond functional retail requirements to enhance the customer experience, connecting visitors with the brand narrative through spatial storytelling. Architecture here is expressive, functional, and deeply tied to brand identity.

Project Importance

This boutique showcases how architecture can serve as a tool for brand communication, blending aesthetics, functionality, and user experience. It sets an example for luxury retail projects by demonstrating how organic forms and materiality can transform a commercial space into an immersive experience. Architects and designers can draw lessons on integrating brand storytelling with architectural innovation, creating spaces that resonate emotionally with visitors. In a broader context, it highlights the potential for retail architecture to redefine urban environments and enhance the cultural presence of brands.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Heatherwick Studio's redesign of Longchamp's SoHo flagship boutique reimagines retail as an immersive, sensory experience. The heart of the store is a vibrant Energy Green staircase that spirals like a steel ribbon, guiding visitors upward in a promenade-like ascent. This dynamic feature contrasts with the serene presence of oak sculptures by artist David Nash, introducing a dialogue between movement and stillness. The space is further enriched by green spiral rugs that cover the ground and creep along pillars, as if the color were flowing down from the ceiling. Exposed brick adds a nod to SoHo's industrial heritage, while thoughtful touches like a croissant-shaped sofa and curved furnishings specially crafted by Heatherwick Studio bring Parisian refinement to the interior.

This transformation marks a return for Heatherwick, who originally designed the store in 2006. The redesign reflects Longchamp's commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling, moving retail away from pure functionality to a more emotional and experiential space.

Conclusion

Heatherwick Studio’s Longchamp boutique exemplifies a modern approach to retail architecture where sculptural design, materials, and spatial planning converge to create a memorable customer experience. By carefully balancing brand identity, functionality, and architectural expression, the project elevates conventional retail into an immersive, visually captivating environment. This boutique serves as a reference for future luxury retail projects, emphasizing how thoughtful architecture can strengthen brand presence and create meaningful interactions between users and space. Projects like this demonstrate the power of architecture to shape perception, experience, and urban identity.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums. Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide. ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.

https://archup.net/architect-job-bespoke-experienced-part-2-architectural-assistant-for-boutique-residential-studio/ https://archup.net/this-luxury-safari-cabin-is-designed-to-capture-the-majesty-of-lions/ Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team

Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp.

Aesop has opened its first store on Hainan Island with an interior that feels like an underwater cave. The in-house design team shaped the space around compression and release, soft curves, and two large ceiling oculi that guide light like apertures in a submerged grotto. The store sits inside the Haitang Bay Duty Free Shopping Complex in Sanya, yet it creates a calm world within the busy retail setting. Visitors move through a curved threshold that filters the noise outside and leads them into an intimate room washed with amber light. A central table with brass basins anchors the plan, while an array of 2,000 gently shimmering aluminum pieces hangs beneath the largest oculus. These pieces are finished with an algae-based bioplastic developed by designer Jessie French. The material introduces a new layer of texture and a conversation about resource cycles. A four meter pillar near the entrance is wrapped with the same algae surface in a pattern that recalls ocean currents. Display shelves line the perimeter and a personalization room sits deeper in the plan, where two facing basins invite slow testing and consultation. The project is a study in sensory retail and material innovation, showing how spatial character can frame a brand without losing architectural substance.

Site, Program, and Spatial Sequence

The store occupies a unit within a large duty free complex, which sets a challenging context. The designers responded with a fluid shell that compresses at the entry and expands at the heart of the plan. This move sets up a simple sequence. First, a curved portal draws the eye inward. Second, the central room opens beneath the primary oculus. Third, the path bends toward a quieter personalization room that mirrors the circular language of the ceiling openings. The geometry is consistent from edge to edge, so the space feels resolved and legible.

Ceiling Oculi and Light as a Material

Two oculi act as light wells and symbolic anchors. Their edges are clean and deep, which sharpens the contrast between bright cores and shaded walls. Under the larger oculus, a suspended installation scatters reflections across the floor and fixtures. The effect is not theatrical for its own sake. It supports the slow pace of testing skincare by giving the eyes a soft, moving field rather than harsh glare. The smaller oculus focuses light near the perimeter and links visually to the round mirrors inside the personalization room.

Algae-based Bioplastic as Architectural Surface

The algae-based bioplastic is more than a decorative film. It is a surface with its own performance profile. Developed by Jessie French, it uses an algae-derived polymer with milled pigments. The finish can be applied to smooth substrates without glue, removed intact, reheated, and reshaped for reuse. In a retail sector known for short fit-out cycles, this reversibility reduces waste and extends the useful life of components. The sealed version used on the entrance pillar was cast in place and finished with an organic sealant for durability.

Fixtures, Tactility, and Customer Flow

The central brass basins create a social island where staff guide product testing. Around them, thick counters and curved shelves keep circulation clear. Amber lighting warms the product tones and supports the cave concept without hiding surface detail. Seating is set along the arc of the perimeter so visitors can pause without blocking movement. Materials are chosen for touch as much as for appearance, which suits a brand that relies on scent, texture, and ritual.

Key Elements At A Glance ElementMaterial / TechniqueArchitectural RolePrimary Oculus Installation2,000 aluminum panels with algae-based bioplastic finishDiffuse reflections, strengthen underwater cave metaphorEntrance PillarCast-in-place algae-based bioplastic with organic sealantVisual beacon, tactile introduction to material storyCentral Testing TableSolid surface with brass basinsProgram anchor for testing and conversationPerimeter ShelvingCurved millwork with amber backlightingDisplay field, guides circulation along wallsPersonalization RoomFacing basins, gold-framed round mirrorsQuiet service space, mirrors repeat oculus geometry

Material Ecology and Maintenance Logic

The algae finish preserves organic matter while keeping biodegradability. It can be lifted, repositioned, and melted for reuse. This reversibility supports circular fit-out strategies and reduces the risk of landfill when retail standards change. Aluminum panels are light, durable, and easy to reconfigure, which further supports maintenance and future updates. The brass basins will patinate with use, adding time as a layer rather than treating wear as failure.

Atmosphere and Sensory Strategy

Amber light creates visual comfort and a consistent temperature for skin testing. Curved edges soften the plan so that no corner feels abrupt. The sound profile benefits from soft finishes and the deep reveals of the oculi, which reduce echo under the main installation. The designers avoided busy color contrasts. Instead they relied on the shimmer of the aluminum and the slight mirroring of the algae surface to bring movement. The result is calm, legible, and memorable. Program and Circulation Summary ZonePrimary FunctionSpatial FeaturesThresholdEntry and orientationCurved portal, compression of spaceCentral RoomTesting and displayMain oculus, suspended aluminum field, brass basinsPerimeter BandBrowsing and seatingCurved shelving, amber backlighting, benchesPersonalization RoomConsultation and bespoke serviceTwo facing basins, round mirrors, quiet acoustics

Context, Precedent, and Brand Alignment

The store aligns with a lineage of Aesop spaces that treat fit-outs as site-specific interiors rather than generic rollouts. Here, the concept grows from Hainan’s coastal setting and the immediate reality of a dense retail complex. The underwater cave metaphor provides a strong frame, but the core is still architectural: clear hierarchy, coherent geometry, and a robust material system. The project contributes to ongoing discussions about retail design, resource cycles, and the role of materials in shaping experience.

Architectural Analysis

The design logic is based on three moves. First, simplify the plan with a central room and a secondary secluded space. Second, express verticality with oculi that concentrate light and organize program. Third, deploy a tight material palette with a single experimental finish that threads through the scheme. The algae-based surface becomes both a visual device and a circular material test bed. It demonstrates how thin films can be designed for removal, repair, and reuse. Material use is strategic. Aluminum delivers lightness and reflectivity. Brass provides weight and aging. The algae film supplies color shift and ecological narrative. The combination avoids visual clutter and supports the cave concept. In context, this is an assertive answer to the scale of duty free retail. Rather than competing with the mall, the store withdraws into a controlled world and lets detail carry the identity. A critical point is the reliance on a single signature material. If maintenance protocols are not upheld, the effect could age unevenly. The project anticipates this by allowing removal and reapplication, yet it still demands disciplined care from operators.

Project Importance

For architects, the store models how a clear spatial idea can host brand ritual without reducing the space to a stage set. It shows how a compact plan can feel generous through light and curvature. It also offers a practical pathway for integrating experimental materials into retail while planning for reversibility and future change. As a typology, the project enriches discussions about circular fit-outs and material passports in small-scale interiors. The timing matters. Retail is shifting toward slower, sensorial experiences and toward fit-outs that minimize waste. This project signals how both goals can align. It adds to the body of work on low-impact finishes and suggests methods that can transfer to hospitality and cultural interiors. It invites further architectural research on thin bio-based films, adhesion without glues, and reversible sealing systems.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The core idea is strong. A compressed entry opens to a luminous cave where algae finishes and brass touch points create a calm, tactile field. The visual language is disciplined and the circular material strategy is credible. Still, the concept leans heavily on a single finish. Could the experience remain as evocative if the algae film were reduced or rotated over time. The project’s value lies in pairing spatial clarity with reversible materials, pointing retail interiors toward quieter forms and lighter footprints.

Conclusion

Global Foyer Mall By Architronix