UP Footgear

Designers at Chute Gerdeman (Columbus, Ohio) created an “urban loft” environment for UP Footgear, Wolverine World Wide's first vendor concept. A spiral staircase moving upward reinforces the UP theme, as do graphics on the wall. Bright, funky furniture and other “apartment ware” are designed to make shoppers feel at home. And the design of the store, which puts shoes into three “rooms” — urban, outdoor and casual — reflects the lifestyles of the three couples who “reside” in this imaginary loft.

Client: Wolverine World Wide, Rockford, Mich. — Blaine Jungers, president of Hush Puppies Retail; Blake Krueger, executive vp, general counsel and secretary, Wolverine World Wide; Mike Donabauer, group vp, marketing and strategic planning, Wolverine Footwear Group; Diane Bierman-Carson, vp/gmm, Hush Puppies Retail; Ray McDonald, vp of marketing for Caterpillar; Dave Bonney, store planning manager, Wolverine World Wide; Vicki Vranian, marketing, Hush Puppies Retail Design: Chute Gerdeman Inc., Columbus, Ohio — Doug Smith, program manager; Maribeth Gatchalian, creative director/ designer, environments; Lee Peterson, executive vp, retail strategy; Chris Brandewie, designer, environments; Heidi Brandewie, visual merchandiser, environments; Jennifer Bajec, designer, graphics; Lori Frame, graphics production manager; Susan Siewny, graphics production; Steve Malone, implementation; Carmen Costinescu, materials sourcing General Contractor: D.L. Morse & Associates, Inc., Twin Lakes, Mich. Audio/Video: BTV Systems, Walled Lake, Mich.

Fixturing: Bluegrass Woodworking, Lexington, Ky.; Kobolt Design Studios, Columbus, Ohio Flooring: Architectural Systems Inc., New York City; Dal-Tile, Dallas; Masland Carpets Inc., Mobile, Ala. Furniture: Galerkin Furniture, Gardena, Calif.; Loewenstein Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla.; Sonrisa, New York City; Bay Area Display San Francisco, San Francisco Graphics: KSK Color Lab, Cleveland, Ohio; Digico Imaging, Columbus Ohio; Meisel Visual Imaging, Dallas Laminates: Nevamar, Odenton, Md.; Veneer-Art, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Lamin-Art Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill. Lighting: Lighting Management, New City, N.Y.; Fabulux, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Atlite, Maspeth N.Y.; Cooper Lighting, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Mercury, Fairfield, N.J.; Lightolier, Fall River, Mass.; Lutrux, Brunswick, Que. Props/Decoratives: Kobolt Design Studios, Columbus, Ohio; Andy's Frame Setting, Columbus, Ohio Signage: Hanover Sign, Columbus, Ohio Textiles: Knoll Textiles, New York City; Maharam, Hauppauge, N.Y.; Brentano, Northbrook, Ill.; Arc-Com Fabrics Inc., Orangeburg, N.Y.; Boltaflex, Maumee, Ohio Photographs: Mark Steele, Mark Steele Photography, Columbus, Ohio