10 Design Offers Four MULO Design Principles for Brick-and-Mortar
10 Design is an architectural design firm that has created retail spaces (and mixed-use complexes) globally.
10 Design asserts, “Brick and mortar retail isn’t dying. It’s evolving. The most successful retail spaces today merge commerce, culture, and community, turning shopping into an immersive experience.”
That principle can be applied to MULO (multi-location) retail design in the U.S. today.
Here are their three guidelines for retail store design for the future.
- Retail isn’t just about selling products. It’s about engagement, lifestyle, and connection. An example of this in luxury retail is the Miami Design District, where a four-block promenade is a high-end retail destination that blends fashion, art, and community spaces. Buckminster Fuller’s 24-foot Fly’s Eye Dome has rooftop gardens and sculptural installations where consumers can shop and enjoy the outdoors and art.
- Mixed-use urban areas have become creative and inclusive new destinations. Santana Row in Silicon Valley was designed and constructed on 18 blocks (the site of an aging suburban mall) and includes 680k of retail, 1.2K residences, two hotels, seven parks, and public spaces with fountains, seating areas, and even an oversized chess board.
- Landmarks can serve as a retail “hub.” For example, the “Tree of Life” is a sculptural centerpiece in MixC Xi’an, China. Retail spaces were strategically arranged around the landmark and its courtyards, turning a public gathering space into a retail experience.
- A retail hub can also be an urban oasis. Tongzhou MixC One in Beijing has seven levels and 100K square meters (approximately 1M square feet) of shops, dining, and entertainment. The interior design uses circular atriums and muted tones to create a feeling of calm. Among its signature elements are a “bubble path” kids’ zone and a rooftop sky garden under a dome. An LED-lit facade contributes to the immersive experience. It was even awarded China’s 3-Star Building Label because it uses passive shading, energy-efficient lighting, and durable, locally-sourced materials.
These spaces are being designed with longevity in mind. In addition to being organic and inviting, these venues encourage exploration and increase visitor dwell (and hopefully shopping) time.
Here are some U.S. case studies of “old school” malls being converted into multi-use enclaves and beautiful retail destinations.
We have all seen how malls and other shopping areas have evolved over the years, and 10 Design stresses that all retail spaces must evolve along with consumer trends and cultural shifts.
For more trends in MULO design and repurposing of existing spaces, please join us at Street Fight LIVE 2025.
