LAB5 Architects

SPAR Flagshipstore

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

SPAR Flagshipstore

LAB5 Architects

ARCHITECTS
Lab5 Architects

MANUFACTURERS
Zumtobel

CONSTRUCTOR
Emel Kft

OUR COLLEAGUES
András Debreczeni, Zoltán Szegedi, Tamás Tóth, Zoltán Vámos

SIGNAGE DESIG
Zsuzsi Tolnai, Rita Halasi

BACKZONES ENGINEERING
Műép Építőmérnöki Kft | László Filepkó

ENGINEERING (BACK ZONES AND CO ENGINEERING)
Műép Építőmérnöki Kft | László Filepkó

CLIENT
Spar Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft.

DESIGN TEAM
Linda Erdélyi, András Dobos, Balázs Korényi, Virág Anna Gáspár

PHOTOGRAPHS
Zsolt Batár

AREA
2000 m²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Budapest, Hungary

CATEGORY
Market

LOCATION AND PROGRAM

SPAR decided to open its new supermarket at a shopping mall called MOM Park, situated in the heart of a wealthy district of Budapest.

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

They had the idea of building up a unique interior, which provides a high quality costumer experience. To chose the designer of this flagship store, they invited architects .

And interior designers to take part in a non-open competition, and submit sketches of ideas. LAB5 architects won because of the look and feel of a market space, with a friendly industrial atmosphere. Luckily later 90% of the original ideas could have been realised.

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

This retail draws mainly three kinds of costumers, so the layout is organised accordingly. One can be shopping very quickly even not entering across the gates.

Which is very convenient for example for the people running to the movie theater. There is a "short route" for quick daily shopping, and a "long route" for weekend buyers.

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

SHAPES, AND CEILINGS

All the forms in the interior are inspired by the flow of costumers. The ceiling is guiding and attracting you from the entrance to the back zone, and then shows different alternative ways to go on.

The block before cashiers is more like a traditionally organised supermarket, so it doesn't have suspended ceiling, and the layout is based on a regular grid. Due to the condition of the modest internal height

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

We wanted to gain the space above the suspended ceiling zone, so we didn't put a ceiling, unless it was really necessary, and where we put it, it was used in a free-form way, for being presented as an individual, expanded statuesque object.

Where we could we used solid white surface, and where we had to put additional elements (lights, sprinkler, etc.) we used optical ceiling.

Because of different use, there are two zones where the optical part of the ceiling converts into a 3d form by flowing down to the ground.

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

At the bakery products warm feelings are strengthen. At the wine section, the lamellas of the ceiling are continuing down to the ground to form a space of a cellar, and to indicate at this point the quality and the culture of the product.

Generally saying, as the ceiling is the element that can be seen from everywhere, it became one of the main elements of orientation and impression.

Shelves and counters are forming rounded islands together, just as if they were standing at a market.

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

MATERIALS AND COLORS

The Dutch word "Spar" meaning pinewood gave the idea of using "wood-like" materials at the ceiling or at the winery.It also helps to create a more cosy atmosphere in spite of the emphasized industrial look of the majority of the elements. 

Acryl (corian) was chosen for the finishing of all rounded furniture, as they had to be white, shiny, clean, durable, and supporting the "fluid" effect.

Due to many contradictory specifications we couldn't apply concrete for the floor as we planned, but the single colour solution of grey tiling is perfect for the goal.

SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár
SPAR Flagshipstore
© Zsolt Batár

Maybe because of the fact that we are architects and not interior designers originally, we were seeing this retail as being one part of the big shopping mall.

So we used the colour brown of its public spaces, on many elements (floor, ceiling, rear of shelves, etc.), and no other colours (beside grey and white).


SPAR Flagshipstore
Ground Floor Plan

LAB5 Architects
T +36 1 4660300
LAB5 Architects
Budapest, Fadrusz u. 32, 1114 Hungary