Project Type : Retail Showroom
Project Area : 2500 sq. ft.
Project Location : Bangalore

Client brief

The clients wanted us to make an experiential tile boutique where clients and designers could have an immersive experience. 

They chose the name TerraQ  to underscore the fundamental role of earth-derived elements in the art of tile craftsmanship and wanted to align the aesthetic of the store to highlight the elements of nature.

They wanted us to come up with a layout that gave their clients a boutique appearance while also maximising the display and tile storage. The clients wanted to predominantly stick to the conventional way of displaying tiles because that maximises display, but were open to explore tile customisations that gave the clients an idea of the versatility of their product. 

Concept note – 

In conceiving the boutique’s design, our primary inspiration was the name of the store itself. We developed a mood-board where we meticulously curated a color palette rooted in earthy tones, including terracotta, baked clay, soft blush, and gentle sages.

While conceptualising the designs of the entire store we ensured that we used tiles as a medium to showcase the Terra theme and worked out some innovative customisations that showcased the versatility of their products.

We wanted conversation starter elements in the store that provided the clients and designers an experience that was enriching, rather than it just being a retail store where a sale is made. Following are some artful concepts we worked on –

1. An extremely creative tile customisation where we tried to depict 4 different types of tile crafts within one product.

2. Bespoke penny tile murals were made which depicted the 5 elements of nature

3. A highly patterned tile flooring that emphasizes the boundless nature of creativity, mirroring the limitless beauty of the natural world

4. In our pursuit of sustainability-driven design, we created a conceptual Terra tree adorned with discarded and wastage tiles, emphasising on repurposing materials and reducing wastage

5. We wanted to add a dynamic and creative dimension to the store’s identity. And hence conceptualised a dedicated designer moodboard space, where talented designers would be periodically invited to craft thematic moodboards using our clients’ product offerings

Design process – 

We embarked on the design process with the paramount requirement of strategically crafting the boutique’s layout that ensured a harmonious flow while maximising the display space and tile storage. 

We divided the store into two zones – one was the receiving lobby section where our designs focused on giving the clients a boutique tile experience with creations that showcased the versatility of the products and design.

The other larger section was the product display zone where we worked on different combinations of display racks that not only maximised the display space but also facilitated ease of selections. 

While the majority of our displays adhered to conventional racks for space-saving purposes, we introduced innovative solutions to improve the selection process. For instance, we upgraded the central table housing smaller format tiles, with a sloped surface for easy material boarding.

The other major aspect to the design was incorporating elements that showcase the versatility of tiles as a product. We wanted to call out the amazing possibilities of tile customisations and we took this leverage to conceptualise most of our design elements in the store. 

The largest and the most creative customisation was for a mural where we tried to depict 4 different types of tile crafts within one product. Working back and forth with the manufacturers for whom something like this was equally challenging as it was never done before, we managed to stir up a 14feet by 9feet mural that became our backdrop behind the reception table.

Speaking of which, the reception table itself blended rattan and tiles, featuring custom-made penny mosaic murals representing the five elements of nature. These murals exemplified the potential for hand-painted custom patterns and designs.

We all are well aware of the inevitable wastage that is involved when working with tiles. We took this as an opportunity to create the Terra Tree which was our way of repurposing the waste tiles while also bringing back the age old practice of the broken tile craft. 

Finally, we recognized the paramount role of lighting in showcasing products effectively. Collaborating with lighting consultants, we developed a meticulous lighting plan, ensuring that the layout, fittings, and light outputs combined to offer the ultimate shopping experience within the store.