DesignOffice

MARCS commissioned DesignOffice to create a new store signature to reflect the effortless, stylish and simple brand values.  The first prototype store opened in Canberra in August 2009 and was followed by further stores in Sydney and Melbourne. 

The crux of the design is the distillation of the store to a palette of simple graphic forms, enduring natural finishes and an underlying sense of ease and effortless style.  Natural oak panels lean against the walls to provide a fully flexible merchandisable wall system, able to take any fashion story for each season. These are anchored by a family of anodised aluminium and linoleum plinths for bags, shoes and accessories. Differing combinations provide height, depth and variety as needed.

Above the calm of the merchandise we created a new signature ceiling. Fully modular and formed from folded aluminium sheets, the dynamic ceiling element can be rotated, angled and interlocked in a variety of arrangements to suit the specific site constraints of each store. Giving a sense of flight and movement, this sculpted rhythm draws to the eye to the natural daylight at the rear of all stores.