Ballantynes contemporary lounge

Ballantynes Department store continues to be an iconic retail destination in Christchurch following the 2011 earthquakes, taking a leading role in the rebuild of the inner city, in collaboration with The Buchan Group and Leighs Construction.

Ballantynes fashion forward subsidiary, Contemporary Lounge, was temporarily housed in the Re:START Container Mall, after its space on the first floor  of the department store was badly damaged. As the Buchan Group executed the design of this highly successful temporary retail container environment, we were approached to lead the interior refurbishment of Contemporary Lounge upon its return  to the first floor of Ballantynes.

We identified the potential for a fresh approach by this tenant, in retaining their successful brand identity, while creating an authentic retail experience within the existing space.

By providing a simple yet considered layout arrangement of retailers, our objective was to strengthen the concept of a “Fashion Collective”. The Buchan Group help overall design control of the Contemporary Lounge Layout, creating areas for individual concept stores including top New Zealand designers Karen Walker, Juliette Hogan and Sylvester by Kate Sylvester, as well as, international brands Ted Baker, Ben Sherman and new Contemporary Lounge retailer Miss Selfridge. The existing cafe and eatery within the space was strengthened by refurbishment and re branding.

Ballantynes fashion atrium

Ballantynes Department Store took a leading role in the rebuild of inner city Christchurch. Ballantynes approached The Buchan Group to undertake the interior design of the Fashion Atrium, a fashion collective featuring New Zealand and international labels.

As well as defining and allocating spaces within the Atrium, The Buchan Group held creative control over individual tenant fit outs and was involved in the detailed design of several key retailers’ displays. The design complements the quality Ballantynes brand and captures the vibrancy of this new collective.

Fashion Atrium presented the ‘perfect opportunity’ to return to inner city Christchurch many labels had been waiting for, with an interior concept synonymous with there brand identities and direction.

Ballantynes’ requirement for a cohesive collective space  with a focus on brand individuality influenced the design of key elements within the store including product displays and unique ‘Fashion Runway’ flooring concept.