Green Store

Fig: 1 - Flower parade is a beautiful procession that signifies and celebrates the regions beauty

FLORISTS OF NETHERLANDS

Humans tend to be intrinsically drawn to nature.  We often seek out nature and strive to find ways to incorporate or bring nature into the spaces we inhabit. A small but significant contributor to this need for biophilia is florists. Florists the world over, curate plants and flowers for people to bring into their homes. 

They act as not just retailers but they also often become means to learn about plants and tend to them. An important skill that we might need as we are increasingly faced with mounting environmental challenges. In Zundert Netherlands this relationship between plants and people takes on a larger form. Zundert annually hosts one of the biggest flower parades in the world. 

Given the city's relationship to flowers, it poses as an intriguing space to imagine possibilities of including and celebrating florists in spaces that stay all year round. 

Fig: 2 - Today’s retail experience has changed immensely due to constant consumerism and marketing

EXPERIENTIAL RETAIL

Across the world, consumers are slowly seeking more immersive experiences in commercial spaces. As a response retail designers have been developing increasingly innovative designs where people don’t just come to for purchases but are drawn to the experience these spaces afford. 

Consumers seek out unique experiences that entertain and engage them in the retail process. While these new approaches to retail placemaking have undeniable impacts on commercial activity and engagement between the seller and the consumer, experiential stores can also have additional benefits. One example of ways in which this realm of design can be channelled is by using them to imagine a possible means of education and discourse. 

What if the spaces you went to purchase things from not only afforded you an entertaining experience but could also help you learn about your product. 

Fig: 3 - What will your florist store look like?

BRIEF OF COMPETITION 

Today florists are more often than not small spaces where the source of the products is removed from the retail experience. Functional greenhouses often far from the store itself supply these stores that then supply these plants to consumers. 

What if we could combine the values of a florist to an immersive retail experience where a consumer doesn’t just passively receive plants but can experience the specific and often even detailed needs of the plants they take home. 

The challenge here is to design one such space for a florist. The store must not just provide an immersive retail experience but it must also help the florist make his process and efforts more tangible and visible. 

Further, while the design need not be limited it should keep in mind the given sites' existing relationship with flowers and plants and attempt to celebrate the same.  

OBJECTIVES

• Form: Design a space that is inspired by its context- flora
• Interiors: How do the interiors, materials, finish work in the given space to create an experience?
• Experience: What experiences are afforded to shoppers who come to the space? What processes can they see/engage with?
• Educate: How does the space help educate the consumers regarding the product?

 
AREA PROGRAMME

The design must include the following spaces:

1. 200 sqm GreenHouse space: A single storey greenhouse where plants are stored, cultivated and grown within a controlled environment (closed space)

2. 100 sqm Retail Space: Can be indoor, outdoor, or a mix of the two

1. The retail floor that includes cashier counter and product display spaces
2. A small community space to interact and engage with customers and the community. 
3. Storage space

(There is an allowance for an additional 50 sqm in the site, you may choose to utilise this or not for any additional spaces you deem fit)

SITE

Zundert, Netherlands

The site is located in a predominantly residential area. Zundert lies 12m above dutch sea level and is one of the most significant agricultural zones of the Netherlands. 10% of all nursery production in the Netherlands comes from Zundert. Zundert is largely a cold region with comfortable summers and long winters. The temperature typically ranges between 0.5°C to 23°C 

• Coordinates: Maps
• Site Area: 515 sqm
• Maximum FAR: 0.3
• Ground Coverage: 70%
• Height Restriction: 5m

Setbacks as per CAD plan