A Cool Co-Lab is Born!

Setsatian School for the Deaf, Bangkok

 

Setsatian School is Thailand’s first school for the hearing-impaired and has been operating since 1953. Over the past few months Concept i has been working closely with the School to transform the existing computer room into a brand new Creative Co-lab.

“New computer technologies are global and visual and can give the children a barrier free dialogue with society” says Geoff Morrison, CEO of Concept i.  “Our goal is to bridge the employment gap for these kids by helping to empower them with digital skills relevant to our changing world.”

Co-Lab means “collaboration” explains Kittisak J. Interior Designer. “We designed a bright and vibrant space where students can inter-mingle and explore digital skills in a fun way”. Interior graphics and soft furnishings use the Pantone Institute’s color’s of the year – neutral ultimate gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating.

“The color symbolism is powerful” says Pei-han, Graphic Designer, “they highlight our human need to be seen, recognized and heard. This color combination connects to insight, innovation, intuition, and intelligence, motivating us to think, learn, create and problem solve in new ways.”

The space planning is angularized to give a creative look and feel, focusing on the class leader’s demonstration space and projection wall. “Global quotes and pictograms urge you to dream, explore, and create” says Nunthiya C., Architect. There are comfortable spaces to learn, relax, and exchange ideas.

“We look forward to working with the children”, Nunthiya explains. “Together with the teachers of Setsatian we hope to organize workshops where people with and without hearing impairment can interact, have fun, and develop skills together. The workshops will explore graphic and 3D sketching software.

 

Project Facts:         

Construction Period: Aug/Sept 2021

Co Lab Area:  85m2, 22 Work Stations, 2 comfort zones, showcase

Project Cost:  Baht 550,000

Project Inception:  Setsatian School

Sponsors:

Design/Interior Fit Out:  Concept i  www.concept-i-design.com

Furniture: Spokes Jewelry  www.spokesjewelry.com

Lighting Design: DJ Coalition  www.djcoalition.com

Lighting Supply: Mosaic Eins  www.mosaiceins.com

Contractor:  S.P.D. Construction

Team: Dr. Panadda W., Kru Saijai S., Kru Narumol S., Geoff M., Wanna W., Nunthiya S., Kittisak J., Pei-han S., Sineenat D., Wiphada T, Patteera K., Wipaporn P., Banjama P, Sompetch L, Prawat C, Onanong S, Pongkhun Y., Rinnin K.

Celebrating 25 Years of Success

Our Process – More than a year into the global pandemic, RLI checks in with Concept i for an update on work in progress, trends and insights shaping the world of design. Concept i, one of Asia’s leading retail and leisure design firms, celebrates 25 years of success in 2021.
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Find us on page 25 – 26

https://www.rli.uk.com/emagazine/163

Our Vision

Celebrating 25 Years of Success

In our 25th Year, Concept i reflects on our mission to ideate, innovate and have a positive impact on people’s lives and the world we live in. We celebrate our beginnings, our people, our talent and our passion for design.  As always, we look ahead, exploring people’s needs, changing trends, unturned earths and suns yet to rise in our quest to realize fresh concepts internationally. That’s us – Concept i.

SLAM, DUNK, SWISH! – 4 Global Future Design Awards 2020

Global Future Design Awards 2020. Established in 2016, the GFD 2020 Award is one of the world’s most prestigious awards for high-rise architecture. It recognizes outstanding ideas that redefine Architecture design through the implementation of novel technologies, materials, programs, aesthetics, and spatial organizations along with studies on globalization, flexibility, adaptability, and the digital revolution. It is a forum that examines the relationship between the Architecture and the natural world, the Architecture and the community, and the Architects and the city.

Concept i are honoured to be awarded GFDA 2020 for 4 of our projects. See below for further information:

Projects Name: Seacon Head Office | Whey Aye | Citystars | Spring City 66
Awards: Winner | Third Award
Project Link: http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/winner-seacon-head-office-by-concept-i/
Project Link: http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/winner-whey-aye-by-concept-i/
Project Link: http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/3rd-award-spring-city-66-by-concept-i/
Project Link:  http://www.architecturepressrelease.com/3rd-award-citystars-by-concept-i/

PHYSICAL DESIGN

Consumers still appreciate the ‘touch and feel’ experience of physical spaces – however, their role needs to be redefined. Now is a key time to capture attention from new customers. Communicating reasons to trust and ensuring a “first-time-right” encounter is more important than ever.

BREATHING SPACE

Shopping Centres should provide more indoor-outdoor areas where customers can enjoy fresh air, active recreation, green space, outdoor seating, pet-friendly areas and events, representing an intersection of physical and online shopping. These spaces will become the new lures to enhance customer engagement and confidence in safety.

PUBLIC SPACE

Historically there has been a drive towards greater density in our retail and leisure developments – however we now need less intensive planning strategies that balance both commerce and critical health. With each project typology, we are investigating new technologies, circulation patterns, people densities and pinch points, to help reduce risk.

RETAIL SPACE EFFICIENCY

Businesses are strategically adjusting their operating space as they do not require as large a service area. Retailers, especially F&B, fashion, cosmetics and personal care, are shifting their focus heavily towards e-commerce.  The fastest adapters will downsize their store & seating areas to have bigger fulfilment centres and delivery/pick-up areas.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

FEELING SAFE

Consumers now care more about in-store safety and prefer offerings that are healthy & locally sourced. Providing safe environments is critical to alleviating customers’ anxietiesm supporting a return to in-person leisure & retail visits.

HANDS OFF

Our overall spatial designs will be affected by the use of touchless technologies being accelerated to reduce direct surface contact. Customers will be drawn to use contactless payment, automatic toilets, door sensors, automated parking, and digital menus; which will be heavily relied upon due to social distancing.

MATERIALITY

We are researching materials to protect from & resist virus spread. For example, the value & properties of historic materials such as copper/brass; as well as new materials & technologies such as self-cleaning and anti-bacterial coatings. The use of materiality that is solid and cleanable will increase, such as those from F&B venues.

RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

Retailers should reveal what would usually be hidden and make it part of the overall experience. Proving the best air quality conditions, with systems as a focal point, could mimic an installation. We are exploring active and passive environmental techniques that respond to climate/change, air density and composition. Intelligent Adaptive Facades, Prediction Modeling, and Responsive Air Quality Control are at the forefront of new leading-edge architecture.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The pandemic has changed consumer behaviours, some permanently; a consolidation of shopping trips and customers trying new omnichannel models, just to name a few. Many of these new engagement models are here to stay, however customers still want to visit physical stores to experience the environment and product offering.

THE CONVENIENCE REVOLUTION

Retailers that are nimble and innovative in their omnichannel approach will fare better and strengthen ties to customers. The pandemic has created a ‘convenience culture’, with online shopping, home-fitness, food delivery and home-cinema. Designers must strive to create a positive, social experience to bring these consumers out again.

Brand Engagement

Retailers now don’t need a physical space to sell things – they need them to offer experiences. Shopping Centres will be about place activation –  where customers can connect and strengthen relationships with the each other, products and brands.

Biophilic design

Concepts such as air, light, greenery, comfort and mental wellbeing need to be addressed in post-COVID-19 environments.  Spaces that anticipate a user’s needs and taps into their emotions, whilst engaging the senses, will fare best.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020

HOW DO WE DESIGN FOR THE NEW NORMAL?

ACCELERATED NEW ERA

The COVID-19 health crisis has had a huge impact on Retail & Leisure design in terms of Customer Experience, Physical Design and Environmental Health & Safety. This is initiating the design industry to be more creative, think outside the box, and throw away old thought processes. Retailers, Operators and Designers must be innovative, agile, and resourceful in order to create successful and resilient future shopping and leisure environments.

Concept-i has been following the pandemic and emerging design trends. As Architects & Designers, rather than being passive participants in the matter, we have put together what we see are Key Drivers moving forward.

Follow i-News over the next few weeks to see more.

‘Retail reimagined: The new era for customer experience’, Periscopes for McKinsey, August 2020