QM Jewellery
Year of Completion / Oct 2023
Client / QM Jewellery Concept Store
Location / Gurney Paragon, Penang.
Square Meters / 680 sqft. / 65 m2
Design Lead / ChunJen Chiam
Design Management / William Chin
Design Team / Eunice Cheng
Client Brief
The client desired a luxurious, modern jewellery store inspired by the Arabian desert, combining Islamic design elements with Malaysian heritage. The goal was to create an immersive retail experience where the jewellery stood out as treasures amidst a desert oasis. The space needed to blend contemporary elegance with traditional craftsmanship, offering a visually stunning environment that emphasised sophistication and cultural richness. The interior was to evoke grandeur while providing customers with a seamless shopping journey, ensuring the jewellery became the focal point in an opulent yet functional setting.
Challenge
The main challenge was balancing luxury and functionality. The design had to evoke the grandeur of the desert while ensuring an efficient retail layout for optimal product display. Incorporating Islamic motifs subtly without overwhelming the space was also key. The store had to feel opulent without excessive decoration, blending tradition with modernity. The final challenge was merging Islamic and Malaysian aesthetics, creating a space that reflected both cultural heritages while maintaining a contemporary and inviting shopping atmosphere.
Concept
The design concept draws from the Arabian desert, with its flowing dunes and warm, golden hues transitioning to cool beige tones. The palette reflects the desert’s serene beauty, with brass accents evoking Islamic craftsmanship. The concept marries traditional luxury with modern elegance, symbolising the blend of Islamic and Malaysian influences. Grey metallic textures provide a modern backdrop, allowing the jewellery to shine. This fusion of warm and cool tones represents the union of heritage and innovation, offering a luxurious, culturally rich environment where the jewellery is presented as treasures within a desert-inspired setting.
Layout
The store layout is inspired by the natural flow of desert dunes, creating an intuitive and immersive shopping experience. Upon entering, customers are greeted by central display islands and wallmounted vitrines that showcase jewellery, accented with brass finishes. The design encourages a fluid journey through the space, with strategically placed seating areas offering comfort and engagement. Carefully curated lighting enhances the jewellery's brilliance while maintaining an inviting atmosphere. A discreet back-of-house section ensures staff efficiency. The overall design blends modern aesthetics with functional flow, reflecting the elegance of the desert and the sophistication of the jewellery.
Implementation
The implementation used materials like beige textured walls to evoke sand and brass accents to reflect Islamic luxury. Grey metallic textures offered a modern contrast, ensuring a balance between tradition and contemporary design. Custom-designed display units in glass and brass showcased the jewellery, while the lighting design enhanced the overall ambiance and product focus. Seating areas were furnished with rich, cognac-toned leather, adding comfort and sophistication to the space. This carefully selected material palette created a luxurious, cohesive environment that blends warmth, modernity, and cultural richness.
Details
The intricate design details, including brass geometric patterns inspired by Islamic architecture, enhance the store’s cultural richness. The interplay of warm sand tones and sleek metallic finishes balances tradition and modernity, while plush seating provides comfort. The layout ensures natural customer flow, with carefully curated lighting highlighting the jewellery and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Overall, the design harmonises cultural heritage with contemporary elegance, creating a distinctive retail environment.
Monogram Motif
The diamond-cut motif, transformed into a monogram, becomes the focal point of the brand. The intricate pattern, inspired by the brilliance of diamonds, casts mesmerising light and shadow across the walls, symbolising the brand’s essence of precision and timeless elegance. The dynamic design establishes the brand's sophisticated identity.
Showcase
The LED lamp serves as a beacon within the retail area, illuminating the gold pieces on display. The combination of Jawi script and LED technology celebrates tradition in a modern context, seamlessly blending cultural elements and enhancing the aesthetic of the gold-centric retail space. This design elevates both the environment and the cultural narrative.
Lamp
The Jawi word for 'Gold' transforms into a wave-like LED hanging lamp, becoming a central feature in the retail space. The lamp’s elegant curves, inspired by the Jawi script, cascade from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow and creating a captivating fusion of cultural tradition and modern design.
