Taking seventh place on our list of 2012’s top 10
is a real “nail biter”, MW Nails bar at Spitalfields, London.
Unlike any nail bar you
will have encountered before, this fun salon brand offers a true experience of
pampered escapism with an interior designed and built from an original 1970’s Beoing
737 plane!
The salon offers the
ultimate first class experience with glamorous staff dressed as airhostesses
and luxurious treatments such as the ‘Two Weeks to Tahiti’ manicure and ‘The
Mile High’ manicure pedicure. You’re guaranteed to leave feeling well looked
after and your nails rejuvenated…so buckle up and join the file high club!
We love how MW Nails has
brought back the glamour of the 1970’s airhostess and the fun they’ve had with
the brand is terrific. This really is a piece of unique design that makes you smile and deserves the no7 spot! Now sit back, relax and prepare for lift off....MWN style!
Continuing with our Top 10 things that have got us
most excited in 2012 - in 8th place is....
The Nike Fuel Station
(opened in March 2012) is a must visit
as this, we believe, is the future
of retail
The Fuel Station represents the new Nike+ product range. The Nike+ product range is super clever… it uses integrated digital technology to measure the wearers physical activity and then sends this info to a range of devices where the user can review, set goals and share their performance.
So, its not surprising that the Nike+ Fuel Station embraces the use of technology to support the retail story and it does so flawlessly and in an incredible way. You can see how the designers must have had a deep understanding of the different ways that technology could be implemented in order to generate such a number of creative ways to help support the Nike+ sales pitch. So what’s so special about this retail experience? Where to start…..
- The instant you step through the door your movement is tracked (using a camera), turning the red interactive wall green as you move past it.
- Next, you are encouraged to play with the Fuel pod (powered by Microsoft Kinect) it tracks your movements, recreates your silhouette on the wall in front of you. Then, cleverly, give Nike your email address and they email with your 30-second clip so you can share it.
- In the changing rooms mirrors will turn on to play inspirational videos of famous Nike runners demonstrating the products.
- Computer stations dotted around help users set-up the Fuel Band so that you can walk out of the store already to rock 'n’ roll.
- The shop does not carry all stock, instead there are iPads on the wall that double up as an interactive catalogue.
- QR code cards use augmented reality so customers can see how a Nike shoe is made and what it does.
- There is also a treadmill and a series of cameras that will record you running. This information then magically appears on an iPad that you can then discuss with a sales assistant.
- We also loved all of the small details too such as the light box shelving and the digital time readings that appear through the wooden paneling.
You really must see it to believe it… hats off to you Nike for setting the way with technology in retail!
Continuing with our Top 10 things that have got us most excited in 2012 - in 9th place is....
Green goodness of rooftop gardens! As space becomes more of a premium, there has been a massive upwards rise in the
number of rooftop gardens and terraces opening in 2012. This green trend is not
only helping to bring back nature to our cities but at the same time, creating
amazing, breath-taking hang-outs all across the world.
Our
favourite example of this in 2012 was the partnership between the Southbank
Centre and the Eden Project. The rooftop garden at the Queen Elizabeth
Hall was built from scratch by the Grounded gardening team from Providence Row
Housing Association (PRHA) working together with colleagues from Eden.
Photo care of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mctumshie/5743995476/
The gardens actually opened in 2011 but
it was such a successful venture that they were reopened in April 2012 with a
real lawn, vegetable planters and wildflower meadows. With a relaxed and cheerful vibe this was
the perfect place to hang out, explore the planting and enjoy a pint or two
from the ‘Roof Garden Café’, run by Company of Cooks.
The space attracted all sorts! From
drop-in gardeners, passers-by looking for a quiet spot to relax or Londoners
wanting the perfect venue for summer’s evening drink. The garden is planned to reopen April /
May 2013.
There are a number of environmental
benefits that weigh in favor of this rooftop garden trend, such as the
improvement of water management, absorption of particulates, improved air
quality and providing a habitat for plants and animals.
In fact, Chicago City Hall rooftop garden
was designed to test the cooling effects of this kind of landscaping design, as
well as being an experiment in how rooftop gardens can support plants, birds
and insects in a city.
And of course,
no-one could do a blog on outdoor spaces and not include the High Line bridge
in NY. Although completed in 2011, this is just another wildly exciting example
of green space forcing its way back in to our cities.
We expect to see more roof gardens and
terraces opening in 2013, specifically more vegetable rooftop gardens as people
decide to put these outdoor rooms to good use. We hope to see you there and
share a beer or two!
