DDi - July 2012 - (Page 35)

| 35 Photo: FRCH Design Worldwide, by Paúl Rivera Mexican marvel Using architecture as a key differentiator, Liverpool makes a statement in Interlomas By Erin M. Loewe Handbags hang like works of art at Liverpool Interlomas in Mexico. D riving toward the upscale suburb of Interlomas as the highway winds out of Mexico City, a brushed silver orb of a department store is about the last thing one would expect to see. The rounded metal structure houses the newest flagship for one of Mexico’s largest and most established department store chains— Liverpool (aka Mexico City-based El Puerto de Liverpool S.A. de C.V.). Continuing its decade-long relationship with Cincinnati-based FRCH Design Worldwide, the retailer also partnered with Rojkind Arquitectos of Mexico City for the exterior concept and the central escalator area, creating a dynamic destination where entire families can shop, grab a bite to eat and spend time together. The exterior of the store, conceptualized by Rojkind Arquitectos, is a futuristic gem of stainless steel. Nestled on an existing round footprint, the 318,000-sq.-ft. store includes three levels of retail space, plus a rooftop garden. Gerardo Salinas, partner at Rojkind Arquitectos, says the façade is made of 60-ft.-long sections preassembled and installed like puzzle pieces. “It took six months to fabricate and install the sections,” Salinas says. “Out of 7,500 pieces, only 14 had to be redone, and eventually we reused those inside the building. The tolerance between each panel was very tight—only 1/4 in.—so every single piece had to be laser-measured to its exact location.” At night, the shining monument to retail glory glows from within, with light escaping through the tiny gaps between the panels created by 45 moving mechanical arms rotating LEDs. Additionally, Salinas says the team at Rojkind Arquitectos had to consider the glare created by the building for local highway drivers, so they grinded the stainless steel in different patterns to subdue the sheen beneath the Mexican sun. The unique exterior urges city dwellers to pull over, come in and discover what surprises await inside. Escalators transport shoppers effortlessly into departments that are seamlessly united by their simplicity, elegance and beauty. The interior of the store also flows in a circular route, with merchandise in four corners. “Each corner has its own identity for the merchandise in that area www.ddionline.com http://www.ddionline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - July 2012

DDi - July 2012
Contents
From the Editor
From the Show Director
Newsworthy
Shopper Insights
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Design Snapshot
El Palacio de Hierro
Global Department Store Summit
Liverpool
Neiman Marcus
State of the Fixture Industry Roundtable
2012 Fixture Leaders listing
2012 Fixture Leaders company index
Fixture Products
Right Light
Product Spotlight
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds
Think Tank

DDi - July 2012