Archiecture studio OMA was commissioned by the Berlin department store Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) to redesign the luxury retail space. OMA has recently revealed the first completed part of the renovation, consisting of an open-concept retail space connected by a wood-clad escalator.
The design team arranged the nine-story building into four separate parts, all of which are arranged around a central atrium. The space will hold the beauty department and is organized around an aesthetically pronounced escalator. The escalator is clad in a rich dark wood that lends a warm feeling. The escalators create a crisscrossed appearance which adds depth and offers a unique rendition of the traditional escalator design.
The escalator design is finished with small spotlights, which create a warm atmosphere.
Wood-Clad Retail Escalators
OMA Architects Have Completed the First Phase of the KaDeWe Renovation
Trend Themes
1. Wood-clad Escalators - Opportunity to introduce natural materials and innovative designs in escalator manufacturing industry.
2. Open-concept Retail Spaces - Demand for flexible, multi-functional and aesthetically pleasing retail spaces can drive the retail design industry.
3. Spotlights in Escalator Design - Opportunity for lighting and design industries to collaborate and create more engaging experiences in public spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Retail Design - Use of innovative materials and design elements for escalators can reimagine retail space at a larger scale
2. Manufacturing - Manufactures can leverage the demand for unique and unconventional escalator designs to expand their product offerings.
3. Lighting Design - Innovative spotlight designs for escalators can increase the focus on lighting and interior design elements in public spaces.