In 1992, Pompei A.D. was commissioned by Anthropologie to develop the initial concept for the brand’s environments and has subsequently designed +100 Anthropologie stores throughout the US, Canada & the UK. These projects are the result of a longstanding, close collaboration between Pompei A.D., Anthropologie’s creative team, and a nationwide network of artist and artisan subcontractors for fixturing and finishes.

The stores incorporate rich, sensual, and engaging environments that integrate elements of the local culture in a contextual manner so that no two stores are exactly alike. The store environment thus strengthens the customer’s identification with the brand while maintaining an underlying identity. Pompei A.D.’s designs reject the usual brand choice of sheetrock and dropped ceilings in favor of more creative solutions. Merchandise is integrated into a variety of creative vignettes and displays designed to offer the customer an entire look at a distinct lifestyle. The artful visual merchandising provides connections between the store design, the merchandise, and the customer, creating a tailored shopping experience for each customer.

As Senior Project Manger, I had the opportunity to work on over 20 store during my time at PAD, developing store designs consisting of; Fixture Development, Storefront Design, Specialty Finishes, Space Planning, Stair Design and everything in between.

Tasked for developing key design elements for Victoria’s Secret Flagship store at the Forum Shops in Las Vegas, these elements are to be incorporated into future stores for 2015. Creating a visual draw for visitors to explore the full depth of the stores offerings, a video focal wall at the rear of the store is reflected by an expanse of beveled mirrors animating the space and showcasing Victoria’s Secret world renown models. The Grand Stair becomes the runway for the videos and becomes a cinematic experience linking the lower and upper levels. 

Along with the design of the stair, beveled mirror pattern, and guardrail design, the stores expansive Italian marble floor patterns will be used in the future roll out of 2015 stores. Custom black lacquer paneling throughout the Grand Hall and an impressive chandelier at the entry (not shown) will remain as trademarks for the Forum Shops Flagship, for now.

Working with the Director of Store Design for VS, I developed and coordinated all designs with vendors, architects and project managers through shop drawings to construction.

The highest earning store in the Victoria’s Secret fleet, the Bond St. location in London is a testing floor for new ideas and techniques that will later be developed and integrated into the other high-earning stores internationally. As a senior designer, I developed various components of the top floor renovation, including an interactive wall of photography in the grand stair. Look closely and you will notice some of the VS Angels winking, turning and waving at the passerbyer. Subtle and effective, visitors can be seen hanging out here trying to find all of the easter eggs. 

The grand gallery is the main axis for the top floor and serves as the core design before breaking into various rooms, each with their own unique design approach. The hotel lobby inspired cashwrap room leaves guests with a finishing touch of service, where associates are able to walk around the cash desk and interact with the guests, offer them a seat and refreshment while being checked out. Each of the spaces we created from concept fully through to final fabrication with both GC and fixture fabricator.

Located in the affluent Agoura Hills neighborhood north of Los Angeles, the 85,000 square foot Whizin Market Square retail center was purchased as a repositionable retail asset by the Tucker Investment Group in 2006. Tucker engaged Pompei A.D. to develop a revitalized retail experience at the center that would provide a much needed community destination for Agoura Hills and subsequently allow Tucker to lure a new class of high end retail tenants to the property. 

To create a compelling destination Pompei A.D. redesigned the site, the exterior and the interior common areas of the facility to create an inviting “place to be.” Improvements included water features, Cafes and Gathering Spaces, Children’s Play Areas, Fabric Shade Screens, a Terraced Lawn, and new environmentally relevant landscaping and exterior building treatments. 

Pompei A.D. was engaged by C. Wonder, founded by Chris Burch, to create a store experience concept for this start-up brand, including store prototyping, fixture systems, signage and store design to launch the brand at their flagship location on Spring Street in New York City.

The new C. Wonder store concept is organized by “rooms” that are derived from luxury homes that are inspirational and aspirational to the C. Wonder customer. The Rooms are inspired by many design movements, including the signature style of Palm Springs Modern, Hollywood Regency, English Townhouse, Vail Cabin, and American Dream, which is a take on Hamptons style. Each room presents a different category of merchandise in different ways, creating a “landscape” that can be explored and encourages customers to make discoveries. The concept framework allows the C. Wonder experience to be localized by adding new room concepts for different markets and different store footprints.

Pompei A.D. was hired to redevelop the branding experience for each of The Art of Shaving’s new and existing

retail locations both nationally and internationally. The new visitor experience for The Art of Shaving, which was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2009, revolves around “The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave”: Prepare, Lather Up!, Shave, and Moisturize. A central table, which is the first major element that greets visitors, explains The 4 Elements in a simple, direct and multifaceted way; it also acts as a guide to other areas around the store and tells a story that demonstrates the key elements to the Perfect Shave. These stories are supported by integrated merchandise; dynamic fixtures and natural materials including stained rift cut white oak, polished nickel and white Carrara marble; graphics and other interactive elements. Many stores will also include a barber spa for in-store shaving treatments

In 2007 Pompei AD worked with Urban Outfitters to develop their new outdoor living concept, Terrain, which made its debut in 2008 at the 118 year old 11 acre J. Franklin Styer Nurseries site in Concordville, Pennsylvania. Terrain is the fourth brand from Urban Outfitters, and an example of another successful collaboration between the design firm and retailer.

The indoor-outdoor complex consists of an on-site nursery as well as numerous buildings, both

new and old. During the renovation of the existing garden center, historic details were painstakingly preserved while reclaimed materials added richness and character to new buildings. An old restored farmhouse contains a landscape design service and provides a charming backdrop for the rest of the complex. The on-site nursery is flanked by a café and garden terrace, providing the ideal environment to host events and workshops. The retail spaces, which include several sheds, greenhouses and hothouses are highlighted by high ceilings and natural light, bringing the outdoors inside.

Tasked with developing a Windows & Doors Showroom, the concept was to create individual ‘buildings’ within the space, each housing a room, office or play space. Utilizing each of the walls to showcase the various styles of windows & doors on display, each room became a space to explore. Placing gathering areas in and between the spaces, allows visitors to have their own private space to discuss with staff which solution fits their needs. Providing glimpses into the workshop area, visitors can firsthand see each custom project being tailor made.

Founder, Shant Madjarian, tasked MTD to convert an old warehouse building in Southington, CT for his new Juniper Lighting manufacturing facility. Creating a mixed-use space to house office space, a premium lighting showroom and manufacturing & assembly space for their fixtures.

Keeping with the character of the +100 yr old building, we preserved the existing brick shell, interior wood columns and beams, and the existing wood factory floors. We carved out a central atrium, connecting the ground floor and upper offices and placed the showroom in the double height space, allowing us to use the Juniper Lighting Fixtures to be featured as chandeliers and wall sconces. This approach created a feeling of a Hotel Lobby, complete with different seating areas for meeting with clients, while showcasing their product in a context fitting for their product. The upper floor offices become part of the Showroom with its open floor plan, and again showcase the lighting fixtures in an open loft-style setting.

Pompei A.D. was approached by Newland Communities to rethink what a Home Sales Center could be for the newly developed, Tehaleh. By creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, we removed the stressful setting typically associated when making a life decision, such as purchasing a home. 

Taking cues from cafe’s and lounge environments, we developed a program of spaces that educated the visitor on the community development and decompressed the space to allow for a mix of seating arrangements and a cafe that promoted visitors to take their time and relax. Utilizing iPads with an integrated website, visitors could explore the community comfortably from the cafe, and gain knowledge of the offerings of Tehaleh.

MTD was invited to participate in an international competition to revitalize the retail concept for Acqua di Parma in a 5 week charrette. Utilizing the marketing approach ‘Into the Light”, we placed an emphasis on the individual product as an offering, gesturing towards the visitor and bathing it light. Taking notes from Italian design and the Italian coastline, we designed an interior that is visually light and fresh, leveraging the brand orange as equity as a rich plaster finish.

To reduce and remove the burden of storage in the back of the store, we integrated a storage system into the cabinets, a practice not currently being utilized in their stores, and developed a modular system that works in (3) distinct floor plans for easy roll-out across their fleet. 

While at Pompei A.D. our Studio was engaged in two Starbucks Concepts Stores, in which both teams developed a kit-of-parts together and utilized Brand Assets based on the Locality of the store in which they lived. The one presented here is of the Times Square location, focusing on the story of the Coffee Bean Cultivators and where the beans come from.

The other location, in Park Slope Brooklyn, took an approach of becoming a work/living room space, utilizing warm woods and soft materials, with varying seating arrangements to encourage small groups, communal bar seating or independent work spaces.

Inviting, Curated, Personal and Connected, the space is organized according to lifestyle. Approachability and an understanding of how the modern consumer thinks and lives lie at the heart of Electronics department. Landmarks within a landscape incite curiosity, drawing the guest through a space where they will discover which products will best suit their creative, talking, listening, watching, learning, and playing needs. The landscape is composed of focused, program-rich landmarks with supportive lowsurface fixtures. 

These fixtures lend themselves to a flexible organization that supports active meandering and a mingling between the guest and the products. Aisles positioned at an angle offer the products to the guest while providing holistic visual access to product offerings and displays. The low fixtures bring product off the shelves and onto the floor, encouraging physical interaction and play.