Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026

Contemporary retail

An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about contemporary retail

Project • By Cass Calder Smith Architecture + Interiors • Shops

SJP By Sarah Jessica Parker

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker is a contemporary label owned by Sarah Jessica Parker and partner George Malkemus III. The collection, which launched in early 2014, consists of footwear (handcrafted in Italy), apparel and handbags (made in the US). In December 2016, the SJP Collection opened its first stand-alone boutique at MGM National Harbor, and in August 2017, opened its doors at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. In November 2017, SJP Collection opened a pop-up shop turned permanent location in mid-town Manhattan and in September 2018 opened a second permanent location in the South Street Seaport District. This most recent 1,100 square-foot downtown location is part of the South Street Seaport District developed by The Howard Hughes Corporation.... More

Project • By I'm D'sign • Shops

Almond House, Kompally

In the heart of Hyderabad, Almond House's unfolds a fine gourmet indulgence that speaks for the legacy of the brand. Meticulously crafted across 10,700 square feet and two floors, it weaves a tapestry of culinary enchantment, where every inch narrates a story of artistry and fusion. Every detail from interactive counters to a wandering cart reminisce the age-old Indian tradition of bringing joy through food.  Ravi Varma The lower floor, akin to a vibrant bazaar, buzzes with life. Live culinary counters give a visual treat—from the sizzle in Kunafa and Baklawa stations to the sweet symphony of Jalebi counters, there is room for everything a gourmand celebrates. A dynamic open kitchen further appetizes the visitors—the... More

Project • By Landini Associates • Shops

T2 Tea – Melbourne Central

Landini Associates has reunited with T2, over a decade on from their first collaboration, to deliver a new concept store at Melbourne Central. The project is the first stage in a reinvention of the brand ahead of its 30th anniversary in 2026. Trevor Mein Steeped in History – Tea Beats FashionLandini Associates and T2 first worked together in 2014, on the company’s HQ, their Australian retail formats, and the brand’s first international stores in London and New York. Celebrated for celebrated for “rethinking the tea house for a new generation”, that work received global recognition, including the prestigious Retail Design Institute of America’s International Store of the Year award. The project famou... More

Project • By TRAIL [practice] • Shops

Sweet Nolan

Sweet Nolan, located in Syntagma, is the third culinary project of the Nolanverse. This modern pastry shop maintains a conceptual and design connection with the other planet – members of the brand. TRAIL [practice] aimed to revive memories of urban pastry shops within a contemporary space, the image of which transforms throughout the day and with the changing of seasons. Yiorgos Kaplanidis Yiorgos Kaplanidis The design concept was to create a moving storefront, that is constantly changing. The idea came into practice through a system of marble display cases specifically designed to accommodate custom-made pastry trolleys. The vertical and horizontal marble elements constitute an autonomous structural system, effectively org... More

Project • By Canopy Fitouts • Shops

Blackhearts & Sparrow - Thornbury

Set within Thornbury’s bustling High Street, the new Blackhearts & Sparrow store exemplifies the brand’s ethos of curating exceptional products within thoughtfully designed spaces. Canopy Fitouts created a fitout that reflects both the warmth and sophistication of Blackhearts & Sparrow and the distinctive character of its surroundings. The design produces an environment authentic to its locale while remaining distinctly ‘Blackhearts’. Thornbury’s High Street has an eclectic, lively atmosphere, translated into an interior that invites customers to explore and linger. The space balances functionality for staff with an immersive customer experience, ensuring efficiency behind the scenes and a polished, en... More

Project • By Barbara Brondi & Marco Rainò | BRH+ • Shops

Luxemburg International Bookstore/Local Cafeteria

BRH+ signs the architectural project for the new headquarters of the historic Turin bookstore, a reference point for international publishing since its foundation in 1872. The studio is also entrusted with the redesign of the bookstore’s visual identity. The new premises are located inside the Galleria Subalpina, an elegant 19th-century passage connecting Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Alberto, in the heart of the city's historic centre. © pepe fotografia © pepe fotografia Founded back in 1872 under the name of Libreria Beuf, Luxemburg Bookstore has traversed more than a century of history. From being a small shop in post-unification Turin, it has become an essential point of reference for all lovers of books, c... More

Project • By ODAMI • Shops

Andrews Bayview Village

Located in uptown Toronto, the Bayview Village Shopping Centre is an icon from the 1960s, a time that saw smaller community malls open in growing residential neighbourhoods across the city — many of which are now gone. In our present, a growing desire for meaningful retail experiences in tangible, local environments inspires our transformation of Andrews, a celebrated Canadian womenswear retailer with a 5,500-square-foot location inside the mall.   John Alunan While offering a large selection typical of a department store, the brand’s goal is to provide a customer experience that feels closer to that of a boutique. In service of this balance, we devised an arrangement of low-to-the-ground volumes that instill a sense... More

Project • By FFFUN • Shops

SHI Space

Introduction SHI Space, a one-stop beauty center in Shanghai, believes in instant transformations, bringing together top makeup artists, hair stylists, and fashion creatives to provide comprehensive beauty solutions. AY STUDIO 就行 Imperfect Beauty Pursuing personal beauty is an entangling journey. It demands being at peace with oneself and accepting the imperfections that make us perfect for one another. These imperfections are not mistakes; they are marks of uniqueness and badges of courage. They are not meant to be hidden but shared and celebrated. In the same way, every building has its personality, complete with imperfections. Confronting these quirks instead of fixing them offers an opportunity to create unique spaces. Embracin... More

Project • By Spacemen • Shops

The Hour Glass

The concept of The Hour Glass at TRX mall draws inspiration from the soft curves and natural silhouette of the human hand and wrist, translating these forms into sinuous, curvilinear walls and custom furniture. This luxury watch boutique is designed as a hidden lounge within the Rolex store, offering clients a private and bespoke experience when trying and purchasing watches from the multi-brand selection. All is Amazing All is Amazing At the heart of the space lies a sculptural sofa, its shell crafted from polished stainless steel, a tribute to the meticulous craft of watchmaking. This wristwatch-inspired centerpiece anchors the lounge, surrounded by curved architectural elements and furniture that reflect the organic forms of t... More

Project • By NOKE Architects • Shops

Take a look

The investors were looking for a bold concept, which is why we decided to wink at the customers visiting the place, says Karol Pasternak, architect and partner at NOKE Architects. He refers to the latest NOKE Architect project – the unusual interior of the TAKE A LOOK optician salon in the modernized part of Warsaw's Wola district. The project was inspired by the brand's humorous name.  Piotr Maciaszek TAKE A LOOK is an optician salon with select ranges of brand-name eyeglass frames. As it has two glass storefronts on the street side, the goal of the NOKE designers was to create an interior that would tempt passers-by and entice them to step inside. It needed to feel welcoming – ensuring a satisfying environment for t... More

Project • By Fluxwerx • Shopping Centres

Hilton Washington DC National Mall

Hilton Washington DC National Mall, opened in April 2019, is located in the nation’s capital near the National Mall with close proximity to museums as well as to the recently developed Wharf District.  The hotel’s emphasis is to provide unique experience with contemporary interior design and cutting-edge technology that appeals to today’s tech-savvy guests. Jackie Hui + Stanford Hotels Corporation Aperture family of luminaires offers impressive photometric performance via well engineered lens/optic design in a contemporary style housing enclosure.  Different beam distribution options and fixture configurations were specified in specific areas of the project to achieve well balanced contrast and precise beam... More

Project • By HYLE design studio • Bars

Minu

Minu Athens is located inside an old neoclassical building in the center of Monastiraki. Its design synthesis is a blend of volumes with sharp materialities, dynamically introduced to a rough cell. Plants, furnishing and architecture interact in the entirety of the place, offering distinct qualities in each corner. The refined curating of design elements and art pieces define this hybrid space of retail and dining where plants remain the protagonists. ANO Atelier ANO Atelier The revealing of the materiality of its rooms accents the historical character of the space, while creating a blank canvas for new compositions. The inviting preserved facade, painted in pale colours welcomes any passenger into an urban indoor oasis. The roof... More

Project • By Tharm Architects • Banks

UBA Bank

Architecture: Tharm ArchitectsPhotography: Leonit Ibrahimi The United Bank of Albania aims to be a bank in the Albanian market that creates transparency for the citizens, provide stability and create the feeling of unity between the bank and its clients, which are inherently connected to each other. Leonit Ibrahimi Tharm Architects have tried to convey this feeling in the interior design of the bank, aiming to create a brand identity.UBA Bank in design relies on three main elements: - (Safety) Transparency- Stability- Uniting the bank with the citizen Leonit Ibrahimi To give the feeling of transparency, light-colored wooden tables were used so that everything on the table is easily visible. A sense of transparency is very imp... More

Project • By Studio Bipolar • Shops

BalloonKraft Store

Studio Bipolar designs a fun, interactive balloon store in the heart of Delhi’s Select City Walk MallTucked into the outside facade of Delhi’s Select City Walk Mall, this balloon store packs a lot of character and color into a small space. Designed with its limited space in mind, the store has been creatively laid out to optimize storage and streamline the checkout process without crowding the space. Anmol Wahi The most important aspect of this store is its fun, inviting design. Bright colors pop out against stark white storage units, neon signage rests on fluted panelling, and a bright blue dome set into the ceiling houses the pendant light. Straight lines have no space in this store. instead , the storage unit breaks out... More

Project • By Studio Bipolar • Shops

Clovia Store

We designed a cool and quirky retail store for a budget conscious lingerie brand.E-commerce lingerie brand Clovia aproached us to create a one of kind retail store for them in a student centric market, Sarojini Nagar. Their brand focuses on young, fashionable and budget conscious women and the retail store concept had to speak to that fact. We tried to create a space that was fun, attracted shoppers and contributed and grew the brand image.  Suryan & Dang We approached the store as an extension of a ‘girls closet’. Using fun and quirky accents over a neutral base, allowed the merchandise to stand out , as well as look fun and youthful. Customised wallpapers with fun quotes add to the stores charm. Suryan &... More