UXUS has designed a series of luxury kiosks for the Shops at Columbus Circle, a permanent retail pop-up framework that allows upscale brands to display merchandise in flexible, intimate retail spaces.
The Shops at Columbus Circle are located in the Time Warner Centre, a bustling epicentre of culture and commerce. The luxury kiosks provide a flexible physical space, essential in an era where brands must manage both physical and digital presences equally and interchangeably. The pop-up could be the perfect way for a digital company to make the transition to bricks and mortar, reaping the benefits of the prime location without the cost of setting up a stand alone store, or for more established brands, this is the perfect platform to introduce products to a new audience and create an interactive, engaging shopping experience.
References to the architectural materials and colour palette of The Shops at Columbus Circle have been re-imagined through the lens of youthful luxury, with layering effects, and polished stainless steel, satin finish stainless steel and dark walnut finishes. The modular construction allows for a series of adaptable configurations. Each brand is able to customize the units to fit their offering, allowing merchandise from clothing and handbags to fine foods and luxury stationary to be displayed in a variety of ways. Positioned correctly, the transparent walls and open formation of the luxury units capture the natural traffic flow in the centre and channel it through the curated displays.
UXUS created the concept for the luxury kiosks based on the idea of 'Lifestyle Adventures,' revolving around the modern consumers' need to continuously discover the new and exciting. Combining the traditional store concept with the spontaneous feel of a pop-up, UXUS designed a modular unit inspired by the Steamer Trunk and its association with discovery and adventure.
"We wanted to create something that reflected the energy of the The Shops at Columbus Circle and its location," commented Olivier Termijtelen, Senior Designer at UXUS. "With New York being a major global travel destination we were inspired by the traditional steamer trunks, which both convey the idea of discovery and a sense of adventure. The luxurious feel of these trunks combined with the modularity of the shops were the perfect design tool that helped to meet the requirements of our brief."
"We integrated functionality into the structure of the kiosks as much as possible," added Kunishisa Kawauchi, Senior Lead Designer at UXUS. "Even the security door has a system to hold merchandise and features a visual communication point. The modularity of the wall and fixture systems allow for various configurations, which enables retailers to present a wide variety of product types."
Brands currently at the space include Moleskine, Monica Rich Kosann, La Maison Du Chocolat, Sugarfina and Etienne Aigner.