Revolutionizing Shopping: Wilson Mak's Hybrid Market Design

Blurring the lines between supermarket and food court in a unique, engaging space

The project's inspiration stems from a desire to move away from the cold, emotionless, thin purchasing experience often associated with traditional supermarkets. Instead, Mak's design focuses on creating a relaxing merchandise atmosphere. The design is divided into two sections: impulsive and casual. The impulsive design is applied in product merchandising areas, while the casual design is used in public sitting areas and restaurant zones. Despite this division, the design remains cohesive, with white ribbons surrounding all ceilings to unify the space.

What sets the Choice Hybrid Market Design apart is its innovative use of materials and technology. Primarily utilizing timber-patterned aluminum, tiles, and acrylic laser cutting technology, the design also features plastic board suspended ceilings. The design also expands daily objects into design elements, such as mirrors in the beauty area and cartoon objects in the baby care area, enhancing visual communication.

The project was a collaborative effort, with contributions from Macho Mak, Manda Lo, and Lucy Su, alongside Wilson Mak. The team faced the challenge of maintaining unity among different design elements from various brands, a hurdle they successfully overcame to create a harmonious space.

The Choice Hybrid Market Design was realized over a span of four months, with two months dedicated to design and another two to construction. The project was located in Hangzhou, China, and was a part of an enterprise brand image transformation into spatial ideas.

This innovative design has not gone unnoticed in the design world. In 2018, the Choice Hybrid Market Design was awarded Silver in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The design's technical characteristics, artistic skill, and level of excellence have been recognized and admired, introducing positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.