It can be a healthy world, after all. At least if you shop at the new Hi-Health World of Nutrition, a new health superstore at the Arizona Mills Shopping Center in Tempe, Ariz.
The 27,000-square-foot category killer was designed to be the antithesis of the "big vanilla box," and its vibrant color scheme, exterior architectural statement and festive in-store environment seem to fulfill that promise. The store's radial floor plan is encircled by "boutiques," including a juice bar, learning center, sports and fitness area, beauty department and gift shop. Educational components were also built into the store in the form of interactive videos and kiosks and seminars put on by professionally trained staff.
Sumner Schein Architects and Engineers Inc., Cambridge, Mass., was responsible for exterior and interior design, graphics and signage, fixtures and merchandise display.
Hi-Health, which has 33 2000- to 6000-square-foot stores in Arizona, says results at the new superstore have been downright vital: so much so, in fact, that eight more World of Nutrition superstores are planned outside Arizona in the next two years.
Design: Sumner Schein Architects and Engineers Inc., Cambridge, Mass. -- David Moore, director of design; Stephen Sousa AIA, senior designer; Christopher Sheehan, environmental graphic designer; Mark Joyce, project architect.
Hi-Health Team: Sy Chalpin, president; Scott Christensen, director of operations
Lighting Design: Engineering Advantage, Boston, Mass.
Fixturing: Associated Wood Products, San Diego
Flooring: Forbo Industries Inc., Hazleton, Pa. Lighting: Lightolier, Fall River, Mass.; Holophane Corp., Newark, Ohio
Signage and Graphics: Thomas Reprographics, Phoenix; Graphic Enterprise & Design, Tempe, Ariz.
Photography: Jim Christy, Phoenix