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Collection by Luke Hopping

How to Design a Memorable Pop-Up

Designed to look spontaneous, pop-up shops often obscure the enormous amount of planning that goes into creating them. For more than five years, Jaspar Jansen and Jeroen Dellensen of Amsterdam-based firm i29 Interior Architects have been designing modern yet ephemeral retail spaces. We spoke with Jansen and Dellensen about what goes into designing a great pop-up shopping experience.

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Jansen and Dellensen extend the principles of pop-up design beyond retail. Approached in 2009 to design an office for an ad agency that was planning to use the space for only two years, i29 embraced the momentariness of the situation. Instead of shipping in expensive, site-specific decor, they sourced all the furniture locally through charity shops and online auction houses. Jansen refers to the project as their “pop-up office.”
Jansen and Dellensen extend the principles of pop-up design beyond retail. Approached in 2009 to design an office for an ad agency that was planning to use the space for only two years, i29 embraced the momentariness of the situation. Instead of shipping in expensive, site-specific decor, they sourced all the furniture locally through charity shops and online auction houses. Jansen refers to the project as their “pop-up office.”
As in traditional commercial design, a retailer's branding is often the basis for creative ideation. “From the first initiative of the client, to concept development and final design, we aim to stay flexible,” says Dellensen. For As Good As New, a Dutch furniture company that specializes in refurbishing second-hand pieces, i29 installed a retro living room and coated it in matte gray industrial spray-on.
As in traditional commercial design, a retailer's branding is often the basis for creative ideation. “From the first initiative of the client, to concept development and final design, we aim to stay flexible,” says Dellensen. For As Good As New, a Dutch furniture company that specializes in refurbishing second-hand pieces, i29 installed a retro living room and coated it in matte gray industrial spray-on.
i29 gave Frame design magazine’s pop-up shop in Amsterdam the feeling of an extensive floor plan with a series of mirrors. The straightforward concept provides additional grandeur and sophistication to the already regal interior of the historic Felix Meritis building.
i29 gave Frame design magazine’s pop-up shop in Amsterdam the feeling of an extensive floor plan with a series of mirrors. The straightforward concept provides additional grandeur and sophistication to the already regal interior of the historic Felix Meritis building.
Jansen implores designers to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials as much as possible during temporary retail projects. Many of i29’s stores feature furniture sourced from local flea markets.
Jansen implores designers to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials as much as possible during temporary retail projects. Many of i29’s stores feature furniture sourced from local flea markets.
Pleased with the pop-up they designed last summer, Frame approached i29 again this fall to construct a more long-term installation: a shop meant to evoke a 3-D walk through of an issue of their magazine.
Pleased with the pop-up they designed last summer, Frame approached i29 again this fall to construct a more long-term installation: a shop meant to evoke a 3-D walk through of an issue of their magazine.
Jansen and Dellensen are currently in talks to open a series of pop-ups in London. In the meantime, their second Frame shop is still installed at the Felix Meritus European Centre for Arts, Culture and Science in Amsterdam
Jansen and Dellensen are currently in talks to open a series of pop-ups in London. In the meantime, their second Frame shop is still installed at the Felix Meritus European Centre for Arts, Culture and Science in Amsterdam