It’s not often that I can write about both Interior Design and Cars in one article. But Porsche’s NOW Pop-up store at Guoco Tower allows me to do just that. It offers me an opportunity to have an in-depth look at an automotive-related interior space with sustainability at its core.
The space itself will serve as a temporary home for the German sports car marque. At least until later in the year, when their permanent Guoco Midtown location is completed. In keeping with our government’s green initiatives, this retail space has been designed with eco-consciousness in mind.
Which is actually an interesting thing to bring up. In a Singapore context anyways, sustainability in Interior Design and Renovation isn’t something that is talked about yet.
Materials, With Sustainability in Mind
Fluted panels were, and still are, the rage. To create the look, contractors used to cut up blocks of wood, which were then glued to wooden frames and painted/laminated over. A lot of waste material is generated in the process.
Fluted panels mimic the effect, but with significantly less waste. But that isn’t to say that low waste is equal to no waste, which is why Porsche opted to use paper tubes that would have otherwise been discarded to create the same effect.
The natural look has been accentuated with the raw colour of the material. The floors have then been finished in a bare screed concrete. Carpentry is minimal, but what is present has been left in exposed plywood.
To add a nice warm glow to the space, additional wall light fixtures have been added strategically around the space. These appear to have been fabricated out of translucent plastic tubes with LED strips in them.
All in all, a oosy, yet very sustainable space – ideal to operate out of!
The Space Planning
I’m sure Porsche invited a reputable architectural firm to lay the space out, so who am I to judge? In all honesty, the space layout actually makes a lot of sense. Your eyes are first drawn to the car on display, before the scent of coffee from the strategically-placed coffee machine hits your nose to further invite you into the space.
It may be relatively small, but the efficient use of it actually makes it feel a lot larger than it is. There are two private rooms in the space, one to the left of the kitchen island and one just behind the car display. I can only presume these spaces are meant for more confidential contractual matters.
Up front, merchandise displays grace the full-height glass front facade, serving as a way to draw customers into the space. That is assuming the car, the forward-thinking interior design and the large display isn’t enough to pull people in!
You May Be Interested In: Experiencing Japan’s Underground Car Scene
