SONY STYLE

Mansour Design and fixturer manufacturer OSF Inc. together created a next-generation suite of technically advanced fixtures for Sony Style's New York store. Mansour's principle of "sensual ergonomics" called for warm and inviting fixtures, including this award-winning "What's Hot" feature fixture constructed of DuPont's Corian® solid surfacing material.

OSF built most of the fixtures in the store, but because thermoforming Corian can be a tricky process, the manufacturer turned to Allegheny Solid Surface Technologies for the solid-surfaced fixture. OSF coordinated the project with Mansour Design and Sony Style, arranged delivery, installed the fixture, and maintains it for Sony. For the best and most cost-efficient product, OSF outsourced the engineering, drawings, and manufacturing of the solid-surface fixture to Allegheny.

"It was a real team effort," says Maja Dragojevic, designer and project manager for OSF. Mansour Design, Sony Style, and the two fixture manufacturers met several times during development to streamline the process for the retail client. The fixture has been installed in two stores so far, with one additional location planned.

Illuminating What's Hot
Sony's "What's Hot" fixture is a small, frequently changing, feature fixture. Christine Belich, executive creative director at Sony Style, says it's used to highlight product for seasonal stories such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Back to School. Measuring 5 ft. in diameter and standing about 40 in. high, the fixture is organized in several levels to display Sony's unique and often miniaturized products without overpowering them. The top "layer" is translucent Lucite® illuminated from within by an LED light strip from Color Kinetics of Boston. "An external controller enables store personnel to change the color of the lighting or make it flicker or jump," explains Mike Keefer, project manager for Allegheny. The lower portion of the fixture consists of a white, solid surface counter and beige, thermoformed Corian®. For extra glimmer, a 1-1/2-in. band of what Belich calls "mystery mirror," is recessed in the Corian®.

The Shape of Sensual Ergonomics
The fixture's elliptical shape makes full use of Corian's adaptability, with gently curving indentations that create a sensual effect. "One of the nice things about Corian® is that it can be thermoformed-heated and poured into a mold," says Keefer. Warm taupe and ivory tones keep the fixture approachable and provide a neutral palette on which to showcase small merchandise. Specks of mica, added to Blizzard Corian®, add sizzle to the unit. "People are very comfortable shopping around it," says Belich.

Tough but Translucent
The use of DuPont's Corian® solid-surface materials makes the fixture virtually bulletproof, yet allows internal illumination when, as in this fixture, the material is no thicker than 1/2 in. All four risers are backlit, giving the Corian® an attractive glow. Although Corian® is a relatively expensive material, Sony expects its long-term durability and easy maintenance to make it cost-effective. Since the material is consistent throughout, scratches and nicks can be sanded away without affecting color or surface texture

Sony Style: "What's Hot" Fixture, New York, N.Y.

Design: Mansour Design, New York, N.Y.
Fixture Manufacturers: Allegheny Solid Surface Technologies, Hanover, Pa.; OSF Inc., Toronto
Retailer: Sony Style, New York, N.Y.

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