SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects

SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - BeamSPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Image 3 of 16SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Arch, SteelSPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - BeamSPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - More Images+ 11

Budapest, Hungary
  • Architects: LAB5 architects: LAB5 Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2013
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Zsolt Batár
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Zumtobel
  • Our Colleagues: András Debreczeni, Zoltán Szegedi, Tamás Tóth, Zoltán Vámos
  • Signage Design: Zsuzsi Tolnai, Rita Halasi
  • 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
  • Backzones Engineering: MŰÉP Építőmérnöki Kft | László Filepkó
  • City: Budapest
  • Country: Hungary
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SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Arch, Steel
© Zsolt Batár

Location and program

Ground Floor Plan

SPAR decided to open its new supermarket at a shopping mall called MOM Park, situated in the heart of a wealthy district of Budapest. 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 / LAB5 Architects - Column
© 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.

Shapes, and the ceiling

All the forms in the interior are inspired by the flow of costumers.

SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Beam
© Zsolt Batár

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, 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.

SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Image 6 of 16
© Zsolt Batár

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. 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.

SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Beam
© Zsolt Batár

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

Materials and colors

SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Image 3 of 16
© Zsolt Batár

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.

SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects - Image 11 of 16
© Zsolt Batár

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.

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).


Project gallery

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Project location

Address:MOM Park Bevásárlóközpont, 1123 Budapest, Alkotás Street 53, Hungary

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "SPAR Flagshipstore / LAB5 Architects" 02 Jan 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/463327/spar-flagshipstore-lab5-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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