Located at the heart of Central World Square in Bangkok, Apple Central world has officially opened.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the store faces a generous public plaza and the Erawan shrine located across the road. It is connected to the BTS walkway via a new bridge at the upper level. The building itself comprises an 80-foot diameter two-story glass drum that features a conical support with a concave vertical surface that stands on its apex. The central support is clad in timber formed of 1,461 European white oak profiles. The oak timber is split into individual lamellas and bonded onto a spruce core for stability.
A staircase with helical turbine blades that cantilever from the central structure connects the two main sales areas on the two levels. Each tread of the staircase is milled from solid blocks of stainless steel and polished to a reflective shine. The fully glazed drum surrounding both floors provides 360-degree views of the urban area.
The circular roof projects out 10 feet to provide shade to the glazed facade. This glazed facade helps to blur the boundaries between the inside and outside, establishing a new public space for the city that features a ring of trees interspersed with external benches.
Related Stories
Retail Centers | Mar 12, 2018
The Hershey Company moves into new 7,800-sf flagship retail location in Time Square
FRCH Design Worldwide designed the space.
Retail Centers | Mar 5, 2018
Eataly heads to the West Coast
The Italian marketplace’s first West Coast location includes a clean room for mozzarella and gelato preparation.
Retail Centers | Feb 20, 2018
Is there a future in retail banking? Part II
It is critical to not view the physical branch as just another sales channel, but as an important touchpoint along a customer’s journey.
Retail Centers | Feb 6, 2018
Is there a future in retail banking?
Retail is embracing new generations. For the last 10 years, all the chatter has been about millennials and how to appease their desire for ease of transaction.
Retail Centers | Feb 6, 2018
To survive, shopping malls must shift from commerce to consumer engagement
A new report on retailing’s future expects customers to have much more influence on what goods and services they are offered.
Retail Centers | Jan 26, 2018
News about the death of retail stores might still be premature, says new study
Superregional malls and open-air shopping centers have shown resilience in the face on online competition.
Retail Centers | Jan 9, 2018
The addition of a medical practice is part of the cure for reviving a shopping mall in Scranton, Pa.
Delta Medix is one of several tenants that are changing the image of the Marketplace at Steamtown.
Mixed-Use | Dec 12, 2017
A new live/work neighborhood is about to get under way in Omaha, Neb.
Walkability and recreation will be key features of West Farm.
Adaptive Reuse | Nov 29, 2017
‘Eat-ertainment’ establishment grants abandoned air traffic control building a second life
The concept’s design reflects the golden age of flight.
Retail Centers | Nov 20, 2017
28,000-sf brewery and restaurant coming to Houston’s Arts District
Method Architecture designed the three-story building.
