#1 Green Retail: The Next Generation of Stores
Today, sustainability is on the agenda of retailers worldwide, with more and more businesses taking the next step by transforming their bricks-and-mortar stores into spaces that are sustainably resourced, designed and constructed. The reason for this development is quite obvious: Consumers are no longer just demanding sustainable products, but are also looking for specific brand values that align with their personal ambition of living a greener, more conscious lifestyle. What increasingly matters to consumers are the measures companies take to reduce their stores’ carbon footprint.
Alongside quotes from members of our inhouse Green Board — Design Team Leader, Eva Böhmer, and Head of Design, Alexander Hornbacher — we showcase a selection of best cases that elevate sustainable store design to the next level. And stay tuned for more green favorites in the next weeks…
Nike
Nike’s Paris flagship, House of Innovation, truly lives up to its name. Opened in July 2020, the four-floor space is powered by 100% wind energy and its display fixtures are woven with more than 85 tons of sustainable material.
Designing with keeping the end in mind leads us to rethinking the whole design process. This can be in regards to usage of materials, connections of elements and natural integration of digital tools.
— Eva, Team Lead Design
Silo
Zero-waste London restaurant Silo, opened in November last year, unites comfort, style and luxury within a sustainable framework. The bar counter is crafted from recycled plastic packaging, while the dining tables combine recycled plastic tops and sustainably-sourced ash wood legs. What’s more, the tables, seating poufs and pendant lamps in the lounge area are created with mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus.
Veja
Almost all the elements of French sneaker label Veja’s Paris store, opened in November 2019, are made with recyclable materials. They used recycled paper and plaster for the shelving, reclaimed wood for the parquet flooring, and the electricity is powered solely by renewable energy.
The brutalist & urban shop style showcases a deeper layer of sustainability. You just have to look behind the facade to understand that almost everything is made from recycled materials.
— Alexander, Head of Concept & Design
Ganni
Ganni’s New York, opened late 2019, brings Scandinavian sustainability to life: For the panels of the rainbow-spotted podiums, the Danish fashion brand used recycled plastics — from water bottles to yogurt packaging and even chopping boards. The textural rugs are made from old fabrics from past Ganni collections, and the custom couch by Hay is upholstered with Kvadrat textiles, which are often dead stock.
Ganni’s store proves that sustainability can be as colorful as you would like it to be. No need to only show the browns and the greys of recycled materials.
— Alexander, Head of Concept & Design
Ace & Tate
Ace & Tate’s Antwerp outpost, opened earlier this year, showcases how to turn trash into distinctive design detail. Almost a ton of waste plastic is incorporated into the store alone. The discarded polyethylene — often found in construction and industrial appliances, and domestic products such as food packaging, toys or kitchenware — has been shredded and hand sorted into orange, red and blue pieces to create an impressive terrazzo style effect.
Using sheets made from recycled plastic underlines the circular approach of Ace & Tate. Transforming plastic waste into unique materials opens opportunities to investigate new design directions.
— Eva, Team Lead Design
Adidas
Adidas’ Oxford Street flagship not only provides a platform for activations, events and artist collaborations, but was also designed with sustainability as a priority. All hangers are made from recycled fabrics and plastic, the seating benches are made of recycled plastic waste, the benches in the kids area are made of footwear waste, while the dwell furniture is made of high-density recycled foam. The space opened in late 2019 and is fully powered by green energy, with double height windows for maximum natural light and warmth.
At LIGANOVA, we’re witnessing a growing demand for more sustainable store designs. Retailers are responding by using recycled materials and offering instore services such as repairing or cleaning to encourage product reuse, as well as ensuring energy efficiency, for example through air conditioning and lighting. Always up to date and on the hunt for the latest trends in retail design, we’re excited to see innovative brands that have mastered the art of uniting their corporate aesthetics with a responsible store building process.
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