Wagner Murray is proud to announce that our VeloPops project has received recognition from IIDA Carolinas as The Winner in Retail Design at the 2020 DesignWorks Awards!
A new pop shop concept in Matthews, NC, drew its inspiration from the word “velo”, which is French for bicycle. The design team created a playful retail experience that encourages social media interaction, invokes motion, and creates multiple connection points for patrons.
“Playful and engaging… Full of energy…
the space is refreshing!”
Judge’s Comments
We caught up with the project’s lead designer, Megan Bass, to get the inside scoop on the design:
What’s your favorite design element in this project?
My favorite element is the continuous orange tire tread graphic above the menu boards. It helps to connect the main menu board wall to the side wall even though a finish transition occurs at the inside corner. It seems like a normal linear band but adding the diagonal breaks transforms a horizontal line into an element that reinforces the brand ideas of motion and connectivity.
What presented the biggest challenge?
The most difficult problem to navigate was balancing the large space needs for the back of house spaces with the front of house area, while maintaining circulation for staff and patrons. The tenant space was less than 1,700 square feet and it needed to accommodate a kitchen large enough for pop production for this flagship store and for future locations, along with storage of mobile carts used at events. The large walk-in units and required restrooms quickly encroached on the cash wrap and patron area. It was critical that the front of house had adequate room for queuing, merchandising, and casual hangout areas, while enabling staff and patrons to move through the space in a way that made sense.
Can you explain your strategy behind the open viewing kitchen?
The open viewing kitchen was always an essential component of the design. The client wanted to showcase their production and all fresh, natural ingredients, and to invite their customers into the process. The decision was made to make sure that the queuing line would be adjacent to the viewing windows. It also helped the small customer area to feel larger by creating a sense of openness in the space.
Check out VeloPops in person and try some of their all-natural fresh pops that are made daily in house! Located in Matthews, they are just a short drive from anywhere in the Charlotte area.
