Futuretronics

ISP/VM+SD International Store Design Competition Winner
Specialty Store, Sales Area 1500 to 3000 Sq. Ft.
First Place

By Miroglio Architecture + Design, Oakland, Calif.
The project also won a Special Award for innovative store fixturing/merchandising.

Futuretronics wanted to differentiate itself from the big boxes and others selling high-end consumer electronics. So Miroglio Architecture + Design (Oakland, Calif.) composed the store along the lines of a jewelry store or museum space, focusing on the industrial design of the merchandise.

The transparent storefront is simply an extension of the interior. As with the rest of the store, the materials are stainless steel, glass, aluminum, maple and marble. A 3-D sign/logo is integrated into the storefront composition.

The interior focus is on the glass pods, vitrines that feature flexible display shelves projecting from clear acrylic poles which themselves extend out of a glowing resin base, all within a 10 foot-tall glass enclosure. (The vitrines have power supplies and data/communications cables.)

Client: Futuretronics, Houston – Josh Levy, ceo; Mike Glazer, store development

Design: Miroglio Architecture + Design, Oakland, Calif. – Joel Miroglio, principal/design; Patrick Ahearn, associate

General Contractor: Andrew Maxx Construction, Westerville, Ohio

Suppliers: USG Corp., Chicago (ceiling); Moz Designs, Oakland, Calif. (fixtures); Atlas Carpet, City of Commerce, Calif. (flooring); Formica, San Francisco (laminates); A Better Image Sign Co., Castro Valley, Calif. (signage)

Joel Gardner Photography, Oakland, Calif.