In the basement of the Cologne Arcades kplus konzept implemented a new, individual Mall Design: flexible, open, adventurous, different! The concept: No classic shop facades, instead an open arch structure – without the usual glass shop front – which ends the separation between shop and mall. Even so, the proper brand imaging is still provided for: The arches display the dealer logo, and in the soffits of the structure, the tenants can present their Corporate Colours.

At night, HSW systems are used as doors, kept open during the day and parked undisguised at the side of the shop. The standardised furniture in the shop space emphasises the marketplace atmosphere and interweaves the individual shop concepts together. Inspired by flight-cases and equipped with rollers and bushings, the furniture can fulfill the needs of all the tenants varying requirements: they can convert from dispensers at storefront, to viewing tables, to display cabinets, to bars or stools. With its simple and reserved material – maritime pine and black lacquered MDF board – this furniture offers a neutral background for the more jolly colours of the tenants’ concepts and support the young, lively bazaar feeling.

The creatively highlighted activity areas, e.g. with special studio-lighting systems, ceiling lights and folding grating, are Hotspots of the future for alternating events in the basement. They have been designed as communal-event areas that give an added value to the shopping experience and encourage interaction between tenants and customers, and also between tenants and tenants.

Therefore, not only the label provider, but also the fabric store, the photo studio and cosmetics shop can all participate in the MakerLab “Pimp My Jeans”. Coupled with active promotions by the centre, visitors are frequently lured again and again into the Open Space of the Cologne Arcades. And finally, you can chill at the central food hall – the ‘Platz im Veedel’ the place where everyone meets!

The icing on the cake for the Open Space: the master Pop-up Store. It served as the inspiration and location for the competition “Kalk’s next Pop-up Store” in which highly motivated new entrepreneurs could develop their dream shop together with kplus konzept. The prize: professional support until the opening of their store.

Photography by kratz photographie