In 2017, the Samsung Experience Store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre opened its doors to the public. As indicated by the name, the store presented a unique and new kind of retail experience, an all-encompassing brand experience in which customers were not only able to purchase a Samsung product, but could also engage with the Samsung brand in a variety of innovative ways. Some examples include engaging with the brand's latest developments, interacting with their staff to receive personalized advice, and even participating in various social events like workshops. The store itself is the ideal one stop shop for a technology enthusiast.
Providing the best service to its customers is, however, only one part of the experience. Architects at Quadrangle tackled the other piece of the brand experience puzzle: producing a store design that was reflective of Samsung as a brand.
“Throughout, everything flows harmoniously through the two-story interior; the one word we came to use to anchor the vision was infinity. We kept the scale of everything large, and backgrounds soft and monochromatic to highlight Samsung's glowing new technologies,” shared Quadrangle's Design Director, George Foussias.
Foussias continued, “Samsung's Galaxy brand is based on the premise that every product ‘talks' to everything else, and this inspired us to create an environment that promotes people to connect around shared experiences while discovering how Samsung's technologies can positively enhance their lives.”
One such detail that coincided with the brand and designer's vision was the building's exterior, a sleek and modern structure comprised of glass and aluminum composite material from ALPOLIC. Together, the combination of materials helped produce the image of a modern and innovative brand, one that, as Foussias had pointed out, is dedicated to enhancing people's lives.
alpolic's aluminum composite panels are enriched with Lumiflon FEVE resin, which allow the material to last for extended lengths of time without worrying about compromising the store's futuristic aesthetic. For buildings that face heavy exposure to the elements or are constantly under heavy usage, such as the Samsung Store, finding a coating that is durable and won't chalk or fade under the pressure of UV radiation, moisture salt or other elemental deterrents is crucial. Lumiflon FEVE resin technology contributes a coating system that not only boasts the designer's intended aesthetic, but also provides long-lasting protection.
Photos courtesy of Architizer
Categories Architecture