A small Toronto-based commercial interior design firm, full scale + partners inc., has started to export its success in Canada’s retail and restaurant sectors to China. Here at home, during the past four years it has worked closely with major players such as fashion retailer H &M. In fact, it has designed almost 15 outlets in Canada. H & M (Hennes & Mauritz AB) also enjoys a global retail footprint with more than 1,400 locations in 28 countries. 中文版請點擊這裡
That Canadian connection indirectly led full scale + partners to help H &M set up its 40,000 sq. ft flagship store in Shanghai in April 2007. But behind that dream international engagement was a steep learning curve.
“Things are very different in China,” says Yvonne Ho, principal of full scale+partners. The other principal is Jenny Lee. ”For example, in Canada there is just one regulatory commission for the issuance of building permits,” she says. “But in China, there can often be various levels of government and local district departments that must grant approval prior to construction. The standards & requirements from each district may vary within the same city.”
“I have seen a project that requires 22 stamp & seal from local departments prior to construction. Frankly, it was a bit of culture shock for us.”
However, full scale+ partners had earlier cut its teeth in China collaborating with local design firms in Shenzhen, a city of 9 million people in Guangdong Province on the boundary between China and Hong Kong. “These projects helped us to gain a better grasp of Chinese market conditions and how the real estate sector works over there,” says Ho.
Full scale leveraged that experience into the successful completion of the H &M Shanghai flagship store. Negotiations began in late 2006 and the deal was signed in January 2007. Construction was completed in 67 days in time for the April opening. Continue reading ‘Success by Design’
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