Page 24 - February #178

COVER STORY - AI PLAZA AI Plaza, Shanghai, China
All images are of
Future of Retail:

Fusion of Retail, Art & Intelligence

THE WORLD’S ONLY GLOBAL RETAIL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE

www.rli.uk.com FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE 178
GLOBAL FOCUS
AI PLAZA
FUTURE OF RETAIL
FUSION OF RETAIL A global architecture studio that spans 17 studios in six regions,
ART & INTELLIGENCE
Woods Bagot does not adhere to a signature style and approaches
each project from a new and unique perspective, working alongside
clients, communities and other creatives. Here, RLI spends some
time with Billy Ip, Principal, Asia Sector Leader – Retail to discuss
DEFACTO TIME OUT MARKET THE LUX COLLECTIVE 178 the growth and development of the company and learn more about
A Global The Best Making Every
Vision of the Best Moment Matter
ANTICIPATED PROJECT OPENINGS | GLOBAL 2023 RETAIL FORECAST | KARACA | SHOPFITTING, DESIGN, LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY | UNTUCKIT one of its key retail schemes, AI Plaza.
pecialising in architecture, interiors and masterplanning, Woods Bagot a modern and luxury urban resort that offers an extraordinary visitor
explores data to predict changing human behaviour and believes in experience and exceptional service. London’s first ‘Super-Boutique’
Speople architecture – a celebration of diversity across cultures which hotel opened to the public back in September 2021 and the 16-storey
is propelled by a shared sense of empathy where the values of the end users and scheme has been sensitively integrated into the historic urban fabric of
the values of design become one and the same. Leicester Square – the famous entertainment district in London.
Inspiring innovation with inclusiveness, Woods Bagot has worked on Across Asia they have been involved with the first Apple store in Changsha
many world-class projects in multiple markets across the world in recent in the Hunan province, which features a uniquely-designed all-new double-
times. In the Middle East, their services have been utilised for the Blue height glass façade. They have lent their expertis e to the ground-breaking
Water Island Wharf in Dubai, which is a reclaimed island development Funan scheme in Singapore which is a new paradigm for living, working and
positioned off the south western end of Jumeirah Beach Residence and playing in the city centre and T Galleria by DFS in Hong Kong & Macau.
Dubai Marina as well as the 25hours Hotel One Central, also in Dubai. At the Hong Kong site, the design links elements of traditional culture and
The company delivered the interiors for the first ever 25hours Hotel in craftsmanship to future innovation, aspiring to leave a lasting impression whilst
the region and the design seamlessly blends nomadic and contemporary at the Macau unit the firm designed and delivered an integrated architecture
design, creating a one-of-a-kind destination in Dubai. and interiors package for luxury retail in a way it has never been done before.
In Australia, the business was involved in Creating the Future Sephora, Finally in Asia, Woods Bagot has also been involved with the AI Plaza
an evolution of the brand manifesting in a new beauty destination in development, which was recently selected as the winner in the International
Sydney and Auckland. They worked with Harry Seidler & Associates Shopping Centre – New Build category at the Global RLI Awards 2022.
on the 25 Martin Place Retail Redevelopment in Sydney to reinvigorate “This scheme is located in the West Bund District which is the home
the podium of the MLC Centre in order to cement its reputation as the of the art & media district in Shanghai,” explains Billy Ip, Principal, Asia
pre-eminent office, retail and urban address in Martin Place and the CBD Sector Leader – Retail. “The project is situated adjacent to the “Vertical
and they are working on the InterContinental Hotel Sydney, drawing Silicon Valley” – Shanghai AI Tower and is surrounded by a large swathe
from its past grandeur to introduce new materials, details and furnishings of art galleries and museums in the emerging art & media context of
synonymous with the relaxed Australian lifestyle. Shanghai West Bund and features a gross floor area of 75,000sq m
In Europe, Woods Bagot spent nearly a decade creating The Londoner, across one underground level and six above ground levels.”