Celebrating 25 Years of Success

Our Process – More than a year into the global pandemic, RLI checks in with Concept i for an update on work in progress, trends and insights shaping the world of design. Concept i, one of Asia’s leading retail and leisure design firms, celebrates 25 years of success in 2021.
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Find us on page 25 – 26

https://www.rli.uk.com/emagazine/163

Our Vision

Celebrating 25 Years of Success

In our 25th Year, Concept i reflects on our mission to ideate, innovate and have a positive impact on people’s lives and the world we live in. We celebrate our beginnings, our people, our talent and our passion for design.  As always, we look ahead, exploring people’s needs, changing trends, unturned earths and suns yet to rise in our quest to realize fresh concepts internationally. That’s us – Concept i.

SLAM, DUNK, SWISH! – 4 Global Future Design Awards 2020

Global Future Design Awards 2020. Established in 2016, the GFD 2020 Award is one of the world’s most prestigious awards for high-rise architecture. It recognizes outstanding ideas that redefine Architecture design through the implementation of novel technologies, materials, programs, aesthetics, and spatial organizations along with studies on globalization, flexibility, adaptability, and the digital revolution. It is a forum that examines the relationship between the Architecture and the natural world, the Architecture and the community, and the Architects and the city.

Concept i are honoured to be awarded GFDA 2020 for 4 of our projects. See below for further information:

Projects Name: Seacon Head Office | Whey Aye | Citystars | Spring City 66
Awards: Winner | Third Award
Project Link: http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/winner-seacon-head-office-by-concept-i/
Project Link: http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/winner-whey-aye-by-concept-i/
Project Link: http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/3rd-award-spring-city-66-by-concept-i/
Project Link:  http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/3rd-award-citystars-by-concept-i/

PHYSICAL DESIGN

Consumers still appreciate the ‘touch and feel’ experience of physical spaces – however, their role needs to be redefined. Now is a key time to capture attention from new customers. Communicating reasons to trust and ensuring a “first-time-right” encounter is more important than ever.

BREATHING SPACE

Shopping Centres should provide more indoor-outdoor areas where customers can enjoy fresh air, active recreation, green space, outdoor seating, pet-friendly areas and events, representing an intersection of physical and online shopping. These spaces will become the new lures to enhance customer engagement and confidence in safety.

PUBLIC SPACE

Historically there has been a drive towards greater density in our retail and leisure developments – however we now need less intensive planning strategies that balance both commerce and critical health. With each project typology, we are investigating new technologies, circulation patterns, people densities and pinch points, to help reduce risk.

RETAIL SPACE EFFICIENCY

Businesses are strategically adjusting their operating space as they do not require as large a service area. Retailers, especially F&B, fashion, cosmetics and personal care, are shifting their focus heavily towards e-commerce.  The fastest adapters will downsize their store & seating areas to have bigger fulfilment centres and delivery/pick-up areas.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

FEELING SAFE

Consumers now care more about in-store safety and prefer offerings that are healthy & locally sourced. Providing safe environments is critical to alleviating customers’ anxietiesm supporting a return to in-person leisure & retail visits.

HANDS OFF

Our overall spatial designs will be affected by the use of touchless technologies being accelerated to reduce direct surface contact. Customers will be drawn to use contactless payment, automatic toilets, door sensors, automated parking, and digital menus; which will be heavily relied upon due to social distancing.

MATERIALITY

We are researching materials to protect from & resist virus spread. For example, the value & properties of historic materials such as copper/brass; as well as new materials & technologies such as self-cleaning and anti-bacterial coatings. The use of materiality that is solid and cleanable will increase, such as those from F&B venues.

RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

Retailers should reveal what would usually be hidden and make it part of the overall experience. Proving the best air quality conditions, with systems as a focal point, could mimic an installation. We are exploring active and passive environmental techniques that respond to climate/change, air density and composition. Intelligent Adaptive Facades, Prediction Modeling, and Responsive Air Quality Control are at the forefront of new leading-edge architecture.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The pandemic has changed consumer behaviours, some permanently; a consolidation of shopping trips and customers trying new omnichannel models, just to name a few. Many of these new engagement models are here to stay, however customers still want to visit physical stores to experience the environment and product offering.

THE CONVENIENCE REVOLUTION

Retailers that are nimble and innovative in their omnichannel approach will fare better and strengthen ties to customers. The pandemic has created a ‘convenience culture’, with online shopping, home-fitness, food delivery and home-cinema. Designers must strive to create a positive, social experience to bring these consumers out again.

Brand Engagement

Retailers now don’t need a physical space to sell things – they need them to offer experiences. Shopping Centres will be about place activation –  where customers can connect and strengthen relationships with the each other, products and brands.

Biophilic design

Concepts such as air, light, greenery, comfort and mental wellbeing need to be addressed in post-COVID-19 environments.  Spaces that anticipate a user’s needs and taps into their emotions, whilst engaging the senses, will fare best.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

HOW DO WE DESIGN FOR THE NEW NORMAL?

ACCELERATED NEW ERA

The COVID-19 health crisis has had a huge impact on Retail & Leisure design in terms of Customer Experience, Physical Design and Environmental Health & Safety. This is initiating the design industry to be more creative, think outside the box, and throw away old thought processes. Retailers, Operators and Designers must be innovative, agile, and resourceful in order to create successful and resilient future shopping and leisure environments.

Concept-i has been following the pandemic and emerging design trends. As Architects & Designers, rather than being passive participants in the matter, we have put together what we see are Key Drivers moving forward.

Follow i-News over the next few weeks to see more.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

VOTE FOR SPRING CITY 66! Concept i is shortlisted for the SBID International Design Awards 2020

internationaldesignexcellenceawards.com/…/spring-city-66

Concept i is among the impressive global design talent to have become a finalist in the SBID International Design Awards 2020, for its entry into the Retail Design category.

Considered as one of the most prestigious accolades in interior design and respected by the industry at large, success in this GOLD-rated awards programme is achieved purely for the quality of design, innovation, aesthetic and value-added to the project. The finalists in each category therefore demonstrate the highest standards of design excellence for interiors within their field, spanning commercial and residential design sectors.

Consistent in its quest to recognise, reward and celebrate global interior design, this year’s SBID Awards has been the most globally represented edition to date; receiving entries from 49 countries around the world. Entries from this category showcase talent from countries such as the UK, Poland, United Arab Emirates, China, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, Macau S.A.R., United States, Brazil, Japan and Romania.

Each entry undergoes an exhaustive two-tier judging process, where leading industry professionals evaluate essential elements such as compliance with the brief, budget, health & safety and fit-for-purpose design. Concept i‘s project “Spring City 66” was shortlisted by this year’s revered international jury for both its technical content and aesthetic creativity.

The Judges decisions are finalised by the third and final stage of judging, where the public are now invited to vote for their favourite projects at www.sbidawards.com. Accounting for an influential 30% of the results, the public and ultimate end-users of design have the final say in which projects and products have what it takes to take home a prestigious SBID Award. With previous years seeing an astounding 225,000 unique voters, the voting will close on Wednesday 30^th September at 5pm (BST).

You can show your support and vote for Concept i‘s project by visiting https://www.internationaldesignexcellenceawards.com/finalist/spring-city-66/

The Retail Design category covers all commercial interiors created for retail outlets including shopping centres, shops, showrooms, pop-up shops and art galleries. Projects can be a complete refurbishment or smaller commissions within these buildings.

Founder and CEO of SBID, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE says: “Business has been disrupted for many designers during the pandemic, but I’m pleased to confirm that the interior design practice has remained relatively steady. The SBID International Design Awards received submissions from more countries this year than in any other year, demonstrating the strength of SBID and the industry as a whole. We are thrilled to be the award that designers want to win and for that, we are particularly proud and honoured, as an interior design body for trading standards, to continue showcasing the world’s best interior design during these difficult days.”

The winning entry in each category will be announced on Friday 23^rd October and be awarded with a bespoke crystal trophy designed by Sans Souci Glass Deco as this year’s prestigious SBID Awards Winners. An Overall Winner will also be awarded for the project that scored highest overall from both the judges shortlists and public votes combined!

Visit www.sbidawards.com for more information.