Fine Blooms | Universal Design Studio

Universal Design Studio is pleased to reveal its design for a new florist concept store, Fine Blooms, which opened in BoxPark Dubai late December.

Set across 1200 sq ft, in a departure from a traditional florist interior the store is divided between a minimal back of house, in which most of the flower assembly takes place concealed from view, and a refined gallery-style shop floor where the customer is presented with a final floral arrangement. VIP appointments can be arranged within a private consultation space, which is partitioned from the main shop floor and backed with a curved screen of recycled leather to soften acoustics and create a sense of enclosure. Universal commissioned local initiative FBMI to produce a bespoke rug created using traditional methods to zone the lounge area.

A contemporary retail space, the overall aesthetic contrasts a tension between the solidity of bold architectural features – such as the oversize chip terrazzo floor in green marble and the centrepiece of the store, a large sculptural counter of oxblood jesmonite – and the ephemeral softness and delicacy of the flowers and planting,housedin a bespoke glazedchiller room.

Universal took inspiration from the surrounding desert landscape for the 15 metre undulating exposed aggregate wall that flanks one side of the store. This feature has been specially commissioned from London-based collective Matter of Stuff and will act as a backdrop from which Fine Blooms will exhibit bespoke pieces created by local and international artists, including glassware created from Dubai sand by Turkish designer Rezzan Hasoglu and custom-madeceramics by Talin Hazbar.

Customers entering Fine Blooms will be met with a band of lush, seasonal plants and foliage marking the entrance, providing a fresh and inviting transition from the street to the boutique interior. From the street the glowing floral centrepieces are visible, while bespoke monochromeenamel planters line the store windows.

Design Team: Irenie Cossey, Ellen Hurst, Emma McNickle, Nick Rolls, Carly Sweeney, Junko Yanagisawa
Collaborators: Matter of Stuff, Talin Hazbar and Latifa Saeed, FBMI, Studio Sahil, London Mouldmakers