Designing Memorable Experiences
A leading data-driven design company that operates in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Benoy specialises in architecture, masterplanning, interior design, branded environments and landscape. Here, RLI spends some time with CEO Tom Cartledge to learn more about their recent work across the world and what drives their continuing success.
Building on their strong retail heritage, the last few years has seen an evolution at Benoy, who have grown to become an integrated team of creative specialists, partnered with data experts in its sister company Pragma.
Working across multiple sectors and geographies, they blend art and science as well as creativity and commerciality through a full range of design services that are backed up by data, insights and analysis.
“Our key point of difference has to be our 77-years of experience as retail place makers – it is in our DNA and as relevant today as ever before,” explains Tom Cartledge, CEO of Benoy. “Whether it is an airport, a town centre, a mixed-use project, a stadium or a city, we continue to draw inspiration from over seven decades of award-winning design combined with commercial space planning for today’s consumers. Designing retail places has taught us the art of creating economically successful, socially inclusive and now, environmentally sustainable places – those rules apply across any places where people come together.”
In addition, Tom highlights the important appointment of Simon Forster, ex-CEO of Selfridges, who will bring further retail and consumer experience to the business. As Director of Retail Futures, Simon will work to develop new concepts and ideas in collaboration with their placemaking and development clients around the world.
Discussing how proud he is of their work in recent years, Cartledge highlights that they have been privileged to work with some of the most innovative owners and developers in the world.
An example of this is the Bujairi Terrace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia which is set in a unique location, adjacent to the UNESCO world heritage site of At-Turaif. Following authentic Najdi-style architecture, the scheme delivers a mixed-use retail and F&B led destination, with culture at its heart. Comprising more than 27 F&B units set in a lush landscape, Benoy has provided both an indoor and outdoor dining experience. An additional leisure and entertainment programme with outdoor cinema, family entertainment centre (FEC), spa, two galleries, a cultural centre and associated public facilities form part of the overall Bujairi Terrace experience.
A scheme of Benoy’s which is due for completion this year is Solitaire. Currently their largest on-site project in the Middle East, the company is delivering masterplanning, architecture, landscape design and interior design across 6,500sq m. Their sustainable design strategy includes a series of wind towers that aim to create a comfortable outdoor environment by using passive cooling technology.
Outside of the Middle East, the Royalmount project opened earlier this year in Canada, an 86,000sq m scheme that is the largest private development in Quebec. As the lead architect, the business was tasked with creating a vision for a significant mixed-use development on a large, well-positioned, brownfield site. With retail, leisure, hospitality, office and residential developments, the space is creating a new urban destination in the city.
“Featuring 170 stores including 60 restaurants and cafes, the retail offer includes 50 per cent new-to-market concepts and the largest concentration of luxury flagship stores in the province. The scheme is also home to a 77,000sq ft urban park and public art trail, featuring more than 60 art installations from local and international artists,” Cartledge comments.
Meanwhile in China the Shanghai Expo Place, a mixed-use complex located in the heart of the World Expo site along the banks of the Huangpu River also opened its doors. Commissioned to deliver the interior design and retail planning of the project’s boutique shopping mall and office complex, central to Benoy’s vision was a cutting-edge, multi-purpose experience centre, highlighting the distinctive design and functionality of the mixed-use complex.
“Their biggest innovation in recent times has been the addition of Pragma and through this symbiotic relationship of Pragma + Benoy, they have carved out a unique, forward-looking proposition of data and design, using data to enhance their processes and validate their creative decisions.”
“To bring this concept to life, the team developed a comprehensive spatial design and soft furnishings plan tailored to user needs. Based on this concept, the team integrated four different themes inspired by traditional Chinese design techniques. Each theme employs a blend of light and colour to evoke a different experience. For instance, one theme involves a one-way thoroughfare enveloped by an array of visual elements, offering a unique sensory journey while maintaining smooth foot traffic flow,” Cartledge highlights.
Looking forward, one of their most exciting upcoming projects is Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. Partnering with Genting Singapore, the company will create an unparalleled and world-class luxury lifestyle destination deeply rooted in biophilia and sustainable design, with the waterfront development set to become one of the world’s leading leisure and lifestyle destinations.
People recognise Benoy as architectural designers at heart, with creativity at the centre of everything they do. What people may not immediately recognise is that they know how to create places in ways that deliver value for clients. Their biggest innovation in recent times has been the addition of Pragma and through this symbiotic relationship of Pragma + Benoy, they have carved out a unique, forward-looking proposition of data and design, using data to enhance their processes and validate their creative decisions.
“We also provide high levels of design verification and augmented reality, our use of state-of-the-art technology means we work fluently with BIM environments, generating real-time simulations as our designs evolve. We deliver innovative products that balance creativity with financial returns and shareholder benefits,” adds Cartledge.
As we move the topic of conversation onto sustainability, the CEO explains that, as designers, Benoy feel they have a responsibility to their clients, communities and future generations to create solutions for a hotter and wetter climate and critically that help reverse the climate emergency.
He says that it is primarily the decisions they take at the inception of the design process that have profound implications for embodied and operational carbon. Today they go forward with a renewed optimism as their designers work in tandem with their technology leads, exploring the application of new tools to provide real-time data and inform better design decision to help them meet the sustainability challenge.
Driven by an ambition to be a modern, future-focused and multi-cultural company and built on the firm foundations of family ownership, Benoy combines legacy with fresh ideas and innovation and offer analytical and design services under one roof, with the reassurance of a brand that is trusted around the world.
“Few firms have so many creative studios globally under single ownership, operating as one company across all continents. This model ensures consistency of quality and approach. Wherever in the world that may be, our clients are guaranteed the same level of expertise, enhanced by local knowledge and cultural insight. There has never been a more exciting time to be solving our clients’ problems and creating value,” Cartledge concludes.
