Implementation of Retail Design Concept in Lisbon

In mid-2019, DOBAS was invited to participate in a tender for the implementation of a complex luxury boutique for high-end watches. To our great delight, our submission was successful, and in August 2019, contracts were signed with Torres Joalheiros, allowing us to begin the detailed planning for the boutique.

An initial inspection of the shell construction was conducted immediately after the contract was awarded. Using a 360-degree scanner, the site was measured with precision, and the data collected formed the basis for all subsequent planning steps. DOBAS plans serve as a reference for all involved local contractors, ensuring no errors occur at the interfaces and that everyone is aligned.

Understanding needs and expectations

Based on the existing design concept and architectural plans, detailed planning began. This phase is always characterised by active collaboration with the client, concept architects, and local construction managers to identify and address all needs and expectations early in the planning process.

After measuring the site, it quickly became clear that the boutique’s irregular floor plan, lacking right angles, would pose a unique challenge. This was particularly true for the placement of hundreds of palings, a key feature of the retail concept, which required exact positioning. Additionally, the five-metre length of the palings necessitated a construction solution to prevent deformation.

With the floor plan finalised, we established fixed planning axes throughout the space. These axes served as reference points for all trades throughout the construction process and were designed to remain accessible at every stage of progress.

Showcasing in the best light

During the development of the detailed plans, we enlisted lighting specialists. Light calculations ensured optimal highlighting of individual exhibits and a balanced presentation of the entire boutique. Only after completing the lighting design could planning for HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing) begin.

For the Torres Joalheiros boutique, ventilation and climate control were crucial. While the positioning of the relevant components depended on the ceiling lighting, but this should not influence their efficiency.

A Solution for every challenge

Given the complexity of the detailed plans, we decided to create template guides for the assembly team. These templates also assisted local contractors in perfectly aligning the ceiling finishes with the subsequent furniture installations. For the installation, our lead assembler, Aldo Lagler (read more about him in this Space Story), travelled to Lisbon ahead of the official assembly start date.

Transporting the templates revealed another challenge: delivering bulky materials to the city centre. To ensure the timely delivery of installations during the assembly phase, DOBAS promptly arranged a temporary storage facility.

Despite various challenges and the structural complexity, the impressive boutique was successfully opened on schedule in mid-January 2020, thanks to the seamless collaboration between our assembly team and the local construction team.