Creating Sustainable Retail Interiors through Reuse of Historic Buildings

Abstract

Retail interiors are often refurbished at a much higher rate than other types of interiors. As such, retail design seems to further the discipline of interior design by creating innovative design solutions. However, as to sustainable design and construction, retail may fall short to sectors like public buildings or offices. The first section of this paper focuses on the definition of sustainable design and the tension between retail (design) and sustainablity through literature study. Retail branding is proposed as a way to improve sustainability in retail design. The second section discusses reuse of historic buildings as a means for retail branding and sustainable retail design. The architectural strategies for reuse defined by Brooker and Stone – intervention, insertion and installation - are illustrated with specific examples of retail environments but we equally suggest to add an additional fourth category: confirmation.