Nicobar Store, Chanakyapuri

The brief of the project was to create a store that a customer would want to spend a few hours in.  The emotional anchor to the project was ‘customer delight’. The store is not just a retail space, but also a place for cultural events for the community. The retail space is designed with a second layer to engage the Nicobar community and facilitate sharing. Many of the product display elements, double up as infrastructure for events in the space; such as workshops, book readings, styling events... The entry of the store is designed to open up like the window-doors of a verandah. While the entry of the cafe is through product display shelves, inspired by walking through the aisles of a gourmet shop. The ambition of the design was to create a unique modern Indian tropical language. Soft plaster textures, a charcoal grey dado, river pebbles, rope suspended shelves, slate tables, white terrazzo floors align together towards this Endeavour.  A Traditional columns create a courtyard in the center of the store to house the travel collection and travel cupboard. The styling verandah is a lounge space around the change rooms for styling discussions. The styling poles allow for assembling and the rope hammocks create a relaxed atmosphere. The custom clothing display systems are flexible and versatile allowing the store to be reorganized over night. The home ware stack shelves have a central zone for styling and pairing. Additionally, There is a gift wrapping trolley and a mobile billing system, with decentralized bagging tables. A lively bar connects the store and the cafe. Suspended brass planters, tropical bird tiles, floral cement tile flooring, cane blinds, antique mirror create a joyous atmosphere for the cafe.