A new retail outlet at Mumbai Airport, the Jaya He Museum Store and Gallery, combines Indian aesthetics with a contemporary look and feel. The 55 sqm store and 45 sqm gallery are located in the airport’s Terminal 2. The gallery displays work by local artists; the store sells those works and other items. The new international airport terminal at Mumbai features an impressive art program, with large-scale art installations along nearly four kilometres of walkways. Passengers are almost transport
ted into an art gallery or museum of sorts, as they walk to the baggage claim area and immigration counters.
ABM Architects was instrumental in the physical installation and engineering of the art works throughout the terminal and the Jaya He Museum Store stocks replicas of these art works for sale.
The store gives busy passengers a chance to glimpse into rich Indian past, make a purchase and savour it forever. The division of spaces between retail and exhibition ensures a full display of products.
“The client, GVK, wanted a contemporary design infused with Indian aesthetics,” says Aahana Miller, interior designer with ABM Architects. The designers at ABM wanted to create something that was simple, yet chic, mostly white and wood, to allow the products on sale to stand out. Spread over about 100 sqm, it has an open format to optimise footfall.
The shelves on the walls were fixed and the furniture in the centre of the space is deliberate – to afford flexibility of layout.
Miller says the lighting was kept simple – so as not to clash with the decor. Suspended flat panels make the lighting design simple and chic. A central sofa makes room for enthusiastic browsers and the rest of the tables work as extra storage along with the sofa to create a space that felt informal, more homely and inviting rather than a shop.
That is what the designers hoped to give to the end users – a store that did not feel like a traditional airport “store” but an interactive space where customers could browse or sit and learn about Indian arts and crafts.
It is thus, an experiential space within a bustling airport.
The design took one year, from conception to opening. The actual execution took about four months but procuring and stocking products and exhibits took about five to six months.
ABM Architects, based in Mumbai, is a 45-year old firm with Alfaz Miller as its principal architect. The company’s work spans genres and is characterised by a keen attention to detail, rendering timeless designs for clients.
ABM Architects also designed the first and business class lounges in this new airport terminal.
