Office Plus: Symbiotic Retail
Challenging economies are fertile ground for innovation. In my master’s thesis project, I aim to create and visualize a system for businesses who could traditionally not afford retail or business space on their own, and co-locates them to create a symbiotic relationship that makes space more affordable while increasing utilization and value.
CLIENT
ROLE
Lead Project Researcher
SCOPE
User Research, Innovation Design, Exhibit Design
What if businesses could co-share retail space to foster around-the-clock value?
Problem Definiton & Research
Mixed use programming is not a new phenomenon; neither are shared economy models. What makes this proposal unique is its ability to deliver the benefits of new workplace thinking while making it economically accessible to generate new business models.
Office models have already been changing to reflect design notions about the benefits of mixing programs, as shown by the success of coworking spaces and reduced footprints post-pandemic.
This model addresses the waning physical presence of some business types and the immobility facing large workplaces.
Customer Personas
A deployable model and adaptable approach to business extends into the design of the spaces, encouraging the unplanned benefits of mixing highly different audiences and programs in the same space.
While the options for partnerships and execution are practically limitless, we present a basic guide outlining the questions and decisions to be answered and make for a successful project partnership.
Prototype Strategy
The proposed space will serve primarily as a headquarter office for Fallen Fruit, the Los Angeles based for-profit art collective. It will also be a commercial outlet for their original art and objet d’art collection as well as a place to hold their community involvement events. Fallen Fruit will partner with a hardware store looking for a small space in a popular area as a satellite for their main store.
Design & User Flow
The West Third Street retail corridor is a vibrant neighborhood full of a wide variety of chain and independent businesses. The proximity to other busy commercial areas like the Grove and the Beverly Center make it accessible and relevant for Fallen Fruit to set up a headquarter office and art gallery. The area does not currently have a hardware store, but is a convenient location that could make a store an easily integrated part of the after-work routine for many nearby families and working professionals.
