DDi - July 2012 - (Page 40)

40 | Department Store Focus Left: Polished stainless steel adds an extra touch of luxury to men’s shoes. Above: A combination of raw materials and strong lines creates a simple yet textural design vocabulary. the interior. The two disciplines merge at the doors seamlessly transporting shoppers. The Neiman Marcus team called upon Westchester, Ill.-based Charles Sparks + Co. to translate the design mantras—“Museum Quality,” “Modern Luxury” and “California Cool”—in subtle ways, resulting in a design with a distinct point of view that delivers a signature Neiman Marcus experience. The overall store plan was one method used by Charles Sparks + Co. to develop a unique experience for the Walnut Creek store. “We staggered the circulation into shifted segments on the plan in order to create interesting sightlines, nodes and vistas,” describes Charles Sparks, president of Charles Sparks + Co. “There are informal, interlocking spaces that you don’t see on a traditional footprint. The way the building is shaped and the axis it creates was used to develop transition zones to shift circulation patterns.” While Neiman Marcus buildings typically have a lot of right angles, the team took this opportunity to play with more curves. Gentle, soft curves in Cosmetics and curved walls in Men’s Shoes create a soothing appeal as they draw shoppers into the space. “Above all, we need to make it easy to shop and give people a sense of place, no matter where they are,” Sparks says. The shifts, curves and juxtapositions are a method that creates a more casual atmosphere, and a more inviting “California Cool” environment. The homage to California also is evident in the overall color and materials palette. Soft, neutral hues reflect the natural surroundings while serving as a subtle backdrop that best suits the merchandise, no matter what the seasons or fashion trends bring. Natural stone, glass and metal in differing scales, proportions and finishes create a textural design vocabulary that seamlessly connects the architecture and interiors. Polished stainless steel fixtures add extra sparkle to the space for a touch of “Modern Luxury.” Transparency was another method used to create a unique experience at Walnut Creek. The architecture punctuates the building with display show windows and glass storefronts to capture natural light and provide pedestrians visual access from street level. On the interior, the design team meticulously planned the divisions of space with transparency in mind. Twisted steel, Mondrian effects and other artistic methods and materials are textural details that define distinct areas, while maintaining sightlines and connections throughout the store. “We wanted to find a way to create divisions without making solid walls,” Sparks says. “We wanted to achieve segmentation without blocking views and still create identifiable destinations.” Walnut Creek also provided the opportunity to explore other plan strategies and store improvements. The team evaluated the back-of-house design and, through their “Smart Store Strategy,” were able to make this staff space more efficient, while gaining 1,000 sq. ft. on the sales floor. | July 2012 Number 18 at www.ddionline.com/readerservice http://www.ddionline.com/readerservice

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