Union Square, New York City

With the intent to establish memorable “boutique style” spaces and departments within the Barnes & Nobel store, Kiko Obata introduced separate juniors department identities for scale, wayfinding and accessibility purposes. Illustrated book characters, colorful signage, murals and custom honey maple fixtures distinguish these juniors areas from the darker woods used throughout the rest of the store. Features include a “Front Steps” fixture with book characters on screen-printed maple; a “Reading Porch” new merchandise feature area against a blue-sky mural; and “Pooh's Forest,” with its lifesize illustrated trees, provides a stage for storytelling and community activities.

Photography by Balthazar Korab, Toy, Mich.

Design: Kiku Obata Co., St. Louis — Kiku Obata, Idie McGinty, Tim McGinty, Jane McNeely, Theresa Henrekin, Pam Bliss, Kathleen Robert, Liz Sullivan, Joe Floresca, David Hercules, Arden Launius, Lisa Bollman, Kim Tunze, Beth Wall BARNES & NOBLE TEAM David Nicholson

Architect: By 3 Group, New York City

Fixturing/Graphics; Engraphix, St. Louis; Design Fabricators, Boulder, Colo.; RDA, Greenlawn, N.Y.