Changing the way marketplaces are made

The world has started moving towards an era of globalization in the wake of technology, an ultimate driving force for economic growth. The consumer market that plays a vital role in this is speculated to increase more than two folds than the current total per capita consumption in the coming decade taking centre stage in a global economy. The concept of a physical store has changed drastically over a century, from open markets, agora to malls, bringing us to the question as to what is next? 

We have started experiencing shopping at the convenience of our homes, just a click away, paved by E-retail. Advancement on the onset of the internet era was inevitable. The ease of buying a product in an urban marketplace and personalized service which earlier acted as a value addition offered exclusively by brick and mortar stores has now taken a backseat.  This has enabled E-retail to thrive to a great extent, but are they becoming a terminal solution to consumer experience? 

Unyt by Uni had launched a competition challenging architects and designers to create a marketplace that breaks the rigidity of Malls and High-end retail spaces that are struggling for existence. The competition was aimed at finding a common way between online vs offline battles.  

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Ángel Verdasco, Director, Ángel Verdasco Arquitectos, Spain

Nader Tehrani, Principal, NADAAA, United States

The best of competition entries are:

Winning Project: Vertical Warehouses

By: Yasaman Arjomand and Nima Shoaie

Description: This project aims to create a new typology of retail by combining the physical manifestation of online shopping in the real world (i.e: Amazon Fulfillment Center) and the already established diagram of a linear marketplace, which will, in turn, increase the synergy of both online and offline retail in this project.

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Runner - Up: Upcycling Retail

By: Islam Alnahrawy, Rana Elsayed Hussien & Yomna El Ghazaly

Description: The retail is an assembly of a modular structure system, containing prefabricated units guided by main and secondary paths. The structure adapts to change functions in the future. The units are designed to embrace different activities. Technological interventions are added to the physical store, to make an interesting experience in the abundant site of Dixie.

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Runner - Up: La Ruche

By: Roxanne d'Andrea, Huyensa dam & Giulia Rossetti

Description: Honoring the meaning of its French name, La Ruche is a true beehive and a collective work in progress. Our project offers activities for multi-generation and attracts a wide span of actors. All activities are interconnected within a circular economy, where collaboration is at the heart of the project and its inhabitants participate in building its identity.

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People’s Choice: RE-SPIRE

By: Ali Alhamad, Faris Turkistani & BA Z
 

Description: Re-Spire is an approach to transforming the shopping experience into a seamless and engaging experience, and reviving Harvey into a cultural hub that celebrates and encourages local businesses. The design of the project is developed with two aspects in mind, effortless and streamlined, yet interesting circulation, and intertwining of interior and exterior space.

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Organizer Choice Award: Roller Coaster

By: Chuying Chen & 雨鑫 刘

Description: Our program intends to break the linear experience of the existing retail space. The use of roller coaster tracks and mobile shelves allows for a more flexible retail space to follow the seasonal activities and provide more job opportunities. The North to South Corridor Unicom North Park and the Southern Open Space provide a better chance for the future. 

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         Editorial Choice: eX CHANGE

          By: Sunita Debnath, Dipan Debnath & Debashish Roy

Description: Retail stores are basically a public place, a place not only for shopping but for social interaction between people. With the advance of E-retail, the typical retail stores alone will not be enough. Technology is now a part of our social life. If we have to keep and uphold the social hub that a retail area offers, the design of retail will also have to change with technology to survive.

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  Editorial Choice: Green Markt

By: Guiyu Lin

Description: In the future retail industry, convenient online shopping will account for the majority of the share. But online shopping can't meet the demand for fresh ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers, and many people prefer to pick ingredients and even grow them themselves. In other words, the market will still exist in the future.

 

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Discover the full results here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/upcycling-retail/entries

Discover the design brief here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/upcycling-retail/info/about

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Discover other design competitions to participate here: https://uni.xyz/competitions