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Floorplan winners revealed

Determined to uncover the foremost and most current talent in architecture and interior design, Scion challenged design students everywhere to submit a complete design concept for its dealership showroom. The judging for the competition, entitled Floorplan, is complete, and the verdict is in.

"We knew that we could learn from our audience and were excited to hear and see how the Scion brand was interpreted," Alan Mimaki, Scion business operations manager, told Sapling.info. "The response was overwhelming and we thank all who spent the time to lend their hand in proposing designs of the future."

In third place, Elliot Ortiz beat out thousands of entrants with his Cyber Punk design. The ultra contemporary space is an ode to futurism with glowing fixtures and sleek metalwork. A product design student at San Francisco Academy of Art University, Ortiz imagined a high-tech power station that includes a virtual teleporter and a glowing helix that holds rims. In true Scion spirit, design stations allow customers to customize in a low-pressure environment, with the creations published randomly overhead on large flat screens for all to see.

Placing second is designer Anthony Femiano, who created a showroom that utilizes existing showroom features, such as the tiled flooring. The balanced design separates the showcase area from a private selling space. A cornered seating area offers a view of the selling floor. Materials make this entry an unusual blend of wood, blue laminate and stainless steel, lending some warmth to a contemporary space. The cube’s perimeter consists of a brush finished steel ladder rail, which holds power and lighting for the floorplan.

The first place title-holder is designer Raymond Heinsman, whose entry is best described as ergo modern. Heinsman’s design is functional, flexible, and cost conscious. By creating interchangeable showroom modules, the design reduces cost, increases lifespan and improves flexibility. All modules can be arranged to accommodate a dealership’s shape and infrastructure, guaranteeing consistency in the Scion environment.

The square showroom echoes a modern-age garage, with a metal railing system that frames out the space. Each module is comprised of two shelving units and two sales areas that allow for privacy. A raised illuminated platform becomes a perfect resting place for the car on display, adding depth and drama to the space. Heinsman’s design accommodates for strong graphics and multimedia presentations.

Entries were judged by Scion executives and Commune, a highly sought after retail environment design firm known for their innovative work for companies as Barneys New York, Undefeated, Quiksilver, Stila Cosmetics and many more. Judging was based equally on four categories: creativity, manufacturability, functionality, and appropriateness to the Scion brand/buyer. The grand prize winner receives $5,000, and the second and third place winners receive $1,000 and $500, respectively.

Published on Sapling: February 2007

Scion Floorplan [external link in new window]
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