Luxury Retailers Turn to Imported Woods for Store Design
According to the A.R.E. Outlook 2012, the rebound in capital expenditures is continuing upward, expected to increase by 14% next year. For suppliers of wood and other building materials, this is great news.
According to the A.R.E. Outlook 2012, the rebound in capital expenditures is continuing upward, expected to increase by 14% next year. For suppliers of wood and other building materials, this is great news.
Using art, light and color, Marino brings out the glitz, glamour and allure of Las Vegas with his careful selection of materials. All of the display cases and light colored walls in the CityCenter store are constructed with ayous wood veneer. The tone is lightened both chromatically and atmospherically with ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon), a soft, very light, elastic and flexible wood.
"The advantage of ayous is that it can be dyed easily for a very consistent veneer that can imitate any number of species," said Eric Thomsson, vice president of Brookside Veneers Ltd., who specializes in composite and natural veneers. "Louis Vuitton wanted a wood very light in color to give an airy feel, yet with a strong grain pattern. [They wanted something] repeatable and adaptable to multiple locations. Ayous veneer met those criteria," said Thomsson. The store reflects the spirit of Las Vegas and the architecture of CityCenter, yet still remains true to the Louis Vuitton brand.
Yves Carcelle, chairman and chief executive of Louis Vuitton Malletier commented in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek that a new era has begun where the in-store experience is almost as important to the customer as the product itself; this is the trend in luxury retail.
Ayous (obeche) is naturally light in color. Its fine, even grain lends itself to be engineered in a variety of colors and textures, attributes which most retail designers can relish. Ayous was selected for use in a national chain of jewelry stores and is currently specified in a nationwide project for Louis Vuitton.
Safeway and Louis Vuitton are two among many retailers pumping millions into store renovations and remodels. Architects and store designers are banking on the use of imported woods as a key component in these and other retail environments. Imported wood is durable and adaptable, and appears to be a great choice for retailers who are seeing increased foot traffic from customers, whether they're wearing sneakers, boots, crocs or high-heels.
Frequently asked questions
What wood was used in the Louis Vuitton CityCenter store in Las Vegas?+
All of the display cases and light-colored walls in the Louis Vuitton CityCenter store are constructed with ayous wood veneer. Ayous is a soft, very light, elastic and flexible wood that helped lighten the tone both chromatically and atmospherically.
Why did Louis Vuitton choose ayous veneer for its store design?+
Louis Vuitton wanted a wood very light in color to give an airy feel, yet with a strong grain pattern that was repeatable and adaptable to multiple locations. Ayous met those criteria because it can be dyed easily for a very consistent veneer that can imitate any number of species.
What are the characteristics of ayous (obeche) wood?+
Ayous is naturally light in color with a fine, even grain. It is soft, elastic and flexible, and can be engineered in a variety of colors and textures, making it attractive to retail designers.
How much are retail capital expenditures expected to grow according to A.R.E. Outlook 2012?+
According to the A.R.E. Outlook 2012, the rebound in capital expenditures is continuing upward and is expected to increase by 14% next year.
Why are luxury retailers investing more in store design?+
Yves Carcelle, chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier, said a new era has begun where the in-store experience is almost as important to the customer as the product itself. This reflects a broader trend in luxury retail, with retailers like Safeway and Louis Vuitton pumping millions into renovations and remodels.
Where else has ayous veneer been specified for retail use?+
Ayous was selected for use in a national chain of jewelry stores and is currently specified in a nationwide project for Louis Vuitton.