ABOUT

Just complete, the 3D concept visuals for our design of specialty Cigar Lounge and premium retail space within Harrods in London. These CGIs have been developed following the technical drawing and detailing phase, throwing the concept design up into perspective and finalising the look and feel, including all finishes, colours, materials and styles of furniture and lighting.

THE BRIEF:

The commission was to design an immersive retail and luxury sampling experience for Cigar Connoisseurs in James J. Fox’s Harrods’ concession, which neighbours the World of Wine and Spirits. Space planning first to create the optimal layout and flow, then layering the General Arrangement plan and elevations with ideas for colour palette, look and feel and finishes.

EXECUTION:

SAMPLING IN STYLE
Our sleek concept design includes a curtained VIP zone and humidified private lockers for Cigar aficionados to store their favourites to enjoy on their next trip to the glamorous sampling lounge. The design concept needed to be moody and atmospheric, masculine and tailored. And needed to appeal to all comers in the brand's diverse client base. Everyone from young and edgy urban cigar fans to traditional, mature gentlemen and every style of aficionado in between. The design had to also promote a sense of luxury and discretion for high profile customers.

PRACTICALITY
Every element of the retail design needed to make life easy for staff to showcase relevant products to customers quickly and seamlessly. With pull out drawers and displays discreetly hidden within cabinetry when not in use. The sampling lounge area of the concession needed to be screened discreetly to comply with regulation. Humidified storage was also a big consideration as well as ventilation and selecting appropriate products for a sampling environment. Furniture and fixtures needed to be multi-functional and maximum storage needed to be built into the design to allow maximum floor space for the enjoyment and relaxation of customers in the sampling lounge and VIP transaction area.

CAD Design Detailing
The renders are built from a full technical suite of CAD space plans, elevations and sections, finalising the layout and details to each and every wall, floor and ceiling within the retail space and lounge. This technical design detail ensures the design not only looks great but also offers optimal workflow and the very best customer experience. The styles of furniture and fittings used within the concept renders have been custom designed for 3D modelling, following the project's concept design phase where early directions and styles of FF&E were proposed via mood boards and creative direction presentations.

Results
The Clients love the direction and the designs are in the hands of Harrods for feedback and next steps. The next design stage would be to take the concept design and translate it into a full technical design 'pack', including a full joinery CAD package, and the drawing up of detailed specifications and budgets to scope out the practicalities of bringing the design concept to life. Putting together the building blocks which would form part of the Tender and QS process.