INDUSTRY:
EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN
TIMELINE:
JAN - FEB 2026
EXPERIENCE:
BRAND AND INTERIOR DESIGN
SOFTWARE:
A speculative brand environment designed to transform retail into a more community-driven experience.
Brand Analysis
Experience Design Strategy
Spatial Programming
Material and Atmosphere Analysis
Retail Futures Experimentation
Individual Project | DEA 2203 | SP26
case.
This project explored how physical retail environments can evolve in an era where most transactions occur online. Rather than functioning purely as points of sale, contemporary retail spaces increasingly serve as experiential interfaces between brands and communities.
We were asked to analyze a brand’s identity and reinterpret its physical presence within a fixed site - a landmark building at 92 Prince Street in Soho, NY.
The challenge was not to redesign an existing store, but to imagine how designed elements and interior space could translate brand values into lived experience.
why lululemon?
I chose Lululemon because the brand already positions itself as more than an athleisure company.
Founded in Vancouver in 1998, the first Lululemon location functioned as both a design space and yoga studio, embedding community, movement, and education into the brand’s origin story.
However, many of their contemporary retail locations still operate primarily as product-focused environments.
Additionally, a Lululemon retail store already exists one block from the project site. Rather than creating another store, this proposal asks:
What if the physical space did everything the retail store cannot?
brand pillars.
COMMUNITY
Lululemon’s ecosystem relies heavily on local engagement. Brand ambassadors are typically yoga instructors, trainers, and wellness leaders embedded in their local communities rather than traditional influencers.
PHILOSOPHICAL MESSAGING
Lululemon integrates its values directly into brand communication. The brand’s well-known manifesto, printed on shopping bags and displayed in stores, promotes ideas around mindfulness, personal growth, and goal-setting.
WELLNESS LIFESTYLE
Movement sits at the center of Lululemon’s identity. Yoga, Pilates, and fitness are not treated simply as activities but as part of a broader lifestyle focused on balance, self-awareness, and wellbeing.
INNOVATION
Lululemon is known for its emphasis on technical fabrics and performance-driven material research. Their signature textiles are designed for comfort, flexibility, and durability, setting them apart from the rest.
experience concept.
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Spaces that encourage gathering, conversation, and informal interaction.
Inspiration: The Matcha Tokyo by T+A Design Studios
BRAND IMMERSION
Interactive installations that communicate Lululemon’s philosophy, materials, and community culture.
Inspiration: Longevity Lab, Miele Studio in Milan
RESTORATION
Dedicated environments for yoga and Pilates that embody the brand’s core focus on wellness.
Inspiration: Kore Pilates Studios, Malaysia
spatial strategy.
The ground floor acts as the public interface of the brand.
Key zones include:
Entry threshold
Matcha bar and social seating
Varied experiential zones
Minimal product display
Transactional point
This level emphasizes community, curiosity, and interaction.
The upper level transitions to a quieter wellness environment centered around movement.
Key zones include:
Transitional seating
Yoga and Pilates studio
Locker room and ADA Restroom
Minimal product display
This level focuses on focus, wellness, and restoration.
the journey.
The ground floor introduces the brand through social interaction and tactile discovery. A matcha bar anchors the entry, creating an immediate moment of pause and gathering.
Interactive material panels and informational curtain walls allow visitors to explore Lululemon’s fabrics and philosophy, while window seating and tiered amphitheater seating support conversation, events, and community discussions.
Retail remains intentionally minimal, with digital ordering allowing products to be purchased without interrupting the experience.
Level 1 uses perimeter cove lighting and track lighting to highlight social zones and installations while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
The upper level shifts toward wellness and focus. A yoga and Pilates studio forms the primary program, supported by locker facilities and quiet transitional seating.
Soft materials and acoustic curtains allow the space to adapt between openness and privacy, creating a calm environment for movement and reflection.
Here, the brand experience moves from learning about wellness to practicing it.
material palette.
I wanted to reflect lululemon's values through the material palette - minimal, natural, yet edgy - and keep the focus on people, movement, and interaction.
Primary materials include:
• Natural oak surfaces for warmth
• Costa Esmeralda granite at the social bar
• Textured wall finishes and sheer fabrics for softness
• Recycled textile panels referencing fabric innovation
• Green steel accents and biophilic plant installations
final experience.
entryway render
South Wall Elevation - Level 1
yoga studio render
North Wall Elevation - Level 1 & 2
reflection.
This project reinforced that the most meaningful environments are designed not just for use, but for interaction and connection.