Concierge Station.
Architecturally integrated customer service for retail environments.
Client: Swire Properties
Industry: Retail
Services: Product & Service Design, Experiential and Visual Design, Sourcing and Manufacturing
Design Brief.
Brickell City Centre (BCC) is a lifestyle destination in the heart of Miami developed by Simon Property Group. BCC identified the need for a customized concierge station to provide visitors and patrons with a visually and functionally coherent service experience.
Outcome.
FutureTogether designed, manufactured, and installed a service desk that seamlessly integrated into the interior architecture of Brickell City Centre. The design highlighted the materials and colors of the building in a sophisticated way, fulfilling all the operational requirements of the concierge team. The design was engineered to ship modularly, be easy to maintain, and be long lasting.
Social Impact.
The concierge station was a welcome addition to the retail environment, providing information and accessibility services that make commercial spaces more human. The design of the station itself reflected the needs of the users and staff, making it a comfortable and safe place to work.
Environmental Impact.
Our design process was guided by research about programmatically effective and architecturally surprising service stations. Our station was constructed out of FSC-certified plywood, faced with easy to maintain and long-lasting polyester solid surface and an FSC-certified bamboo laminate. The materials ensured the surfaces could be cleaned and disinfected regularly, without showing any sign of wear. Our focus on longevity and flexible function extends the useful life of the station.
Service First.
We designed for all the critical functions of the station—including answering questions, providing marketing materials, supporting visitors with disabilities, and storing purchases. Surface sizes and heights, storage, electrical access, privacy, as well as distribution were all carefully considered. Our research offered concepts that ranged from traditional information kiosks to tables and desks that encouraged less transactional interactions and friendly service.
Architectural Furniture.
The concept selection process was driven by operation concerns and a desire for architectural integration. Seeing the station as an integral part of the architecture allowed us to take a more adventurous aesthetic path. The station is clad with slats, matching Brickell City Centre’s ceiling features. The angular shape of the working surface privacy screen matches many of the angles in the building, deepening the tension of the interior landscape.
Turnkey Made Right.
We provided a one stop solution for design, manufacturing, and installation of the concierge station. Making things locally, with manufacturers focused on quality, changed the outcome of the built environment. Every fabrication decision was made with the goal of creating a long lasting, practical, and sophisticated design. The materials, processes, and assembly of the station were all commercial grade—designed to support staff and impress visitors.
Links & Media.