When COR3 Design first started back in 2011, our bread and butter was designing retail spaces for our clients. We were deeply embedded in national chain stores like Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, and Beall’s Outlet–to name a few. Our work took us across the country for site visits and project updates, and we gained licensure in dozens of states.
As we grew and evolved, our body of work also developed. Over the past 13 years, we have grown to include hospitality and restaurant projects, multi-family and senior living, commercial and industrial, tenant upfit and restoration, and niche developments.
But at the end of the day, retail is still our first love. So, we wanted to write an ode to retail projects to remind our original partners and future ones of the business passions that started it all.
Bringing Visions to Life
Retail design allows us to truly flex our creative muscles. We get to work closely with our clients to understand their brand, their target audience, and their overall vision for the space. Then we get to translate that into a physical environment that brings their ideas to life in a tangible way.
Whether it’s designing an immersive flagship store or an entire shopping center, we relish the challenge of creating spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional. We love the iterative process of refining the design, testing different layout and flow options, and finding creative solutions to any challenges that arise.
Connecting with Customers
Retail design is all about creating an exceptional customer experience. As architects, we have to think deeply about how people will move through and interact with the space.
What will draw their eye? Where will they linger? How can we use architectural elements to leave a lasting impression? These are the types of questions that keep us inspired.
Evolving with the Times
The retail landscape is constantly evolving, which means we have to stay on top of the latest trends, technologies, and consumer behaviors. This continuous learning and adaptation is part of what makes retail design so engaging for us.
Whether it’s integrating interactive digital displays, optimizing for online order pickup, or designing flexible spaces that can be easily reconfigured, we’re always eager to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the retail realm.
A Sense of Pride
Ultimately, what we love most about retail design is the sense of pride and accomplishment we feel when we see our work come to life. There’s nothing quite like walking through a finished space and seeing people engaged, energized, and genuinely enjoying the environment we’ve created.
It’s a tangible reminder of the real-world impact our work can have. It is not just the impact on our clients’ bottom lines, but on the everyday experiences of the people who inhabit these spaces. And that’s a feeling that never gets old.