Enhancing store design and planning with spatial computing for an international luxury retailer.

Background

With the task to create a seamless luxury retail experience for Printemps' first U.S. store at One Wall Street, L+R addressed a critical challenge: how to effectively prototype and test wayfinding solutions for a complex, multi-level retail environment before the store construction was finished. To meet this need, L+R developed ScreenLayer, a tool powered by Apple Vision Pro, enabling full-scale augmented reality prototyping. This innovative approach streamlined the design process and elevated collaboration for retail and department store planning.

The Challenge

Luxury retail spaces require exceptional attention to detail in layout and navigation to ensure a cohesive customer journey. While our team was developing the taxonomy and front-end user experience of the store's wayfinding, we needed a tool to prototype and test in a manner that integrated their advanced digital systems with the iconic interior design. Traditional methods like static plans and renders fell short in delivering the immersive and interactive quality necessary to validate spatial decisions.

The Solution

L+R developed ScreenLayer for the Apple Vision Pro. This innovative platform allowed for immersive full-scale prototyping of wayfinding systems directly within the store environment. ScreenLayer enabled designers and stakeholders to visualize digital signage, wayfinding displays, and spatial layouts in real time, offering a more accurate representation than traditional design methods.

Through interactive testing, the Printemps team could simulate customer navigation and evaluate the effectiveness of various designs. The tool supported rapid iteration, allowing for immediate adjustments based on stakeholder feedback and usability insights. Additionally, ScreenLayer fostered seamless collaboration across disciplines, ensuring alignment between aesthetic goals, technical systems, and customer-centric design.

The Outcome

The introduction of ScreenLayer revolutionized the design process for Printemps' flagship store. By enabling immersive prototyping, the tool significantly reduced the need for physical mockups, saving both time and resources. It improved the precision of wayfinding placement and digital integrations, ensuring they harmonized with the iconic interior design. This approach resulted in a more intuitive and engaging customer journey, enhancing the overall in-store experience. Beyond the Printemps project, ScreenLayer has demonstrated its potential as a scalable solution for luxury retail and other complex spatial planning projects, setting a new standard for leveraging augmented reality in design.