The Suburban Social Hub
Overview
My team and I were to fulfill Cadillac Fairview's request to make services in place-based retail more attractive at CF Shops at Don Mills. Many shoppers at Don Mills Mall expressed a desire to connect with the community and loved ones. However, they feel there is a lack of comfortable spaces available to facilitate these connections. We designed The Suburban Social Hub to connect Cadillac Fairview with the local community by leveraging the mall's outdoor architecture, addressing environmental concerns, and creating opportunities for people to foster relationships.
Our Concept
We aimed to include dedicated outdoor spaces, customized heating and cooling systems, and leverage proximity and existing relationships to make Don Mills a part of patrons' routines. Our concept, The Suburban Social Hub features dome-shaped architectures that are placed throughout the mall, allowing people to gather while having services. We designed intimate spaces through designated and curated social climates for patrons of all ages and demographics to enjoy. It is a permanent fixture that resembles a dome that fosters connection and relationships. The hub offers three unique atmospheres:
The Gaming Dome
The gaming dome functions as an area where groups can engage and interact with each other through digital games.
The Entertainment Dome
The entertainment dome serves as a communal area where people can watch TV together while having food services.
The Conversation Dome
The conversation dome serves as a socializing spot furnished with a round couch and offers food services.
The Gaming Dome Prototype
The Entertainment Dome Prototype
The Conversation Dome Prototype
Features and Manufacturing of the Domes
Tablet
In each of the domes, a tablet is installed allowing patrons to curate an ambiance that suits their preferences and the desired aesthetic through a built-in device that allows the brightness, color, music, and volume to be seamlessly adjusted.
Integration
The tablet also has an ordering feature that connects local restaurants to funnel the food traffic into retail traffic. This plays upon having the domes situated close to the storefront increasing the patrons’ likelihood of shopping.
The manufacture and materials of the dome are carefully selected, taking various factors into consideration. The exterior of the dome allows users to adjust its transparency to control the amount of natural lighting and privacy. It also features a non-reflective chrome finish to reduce the risk of harming wildlife. The interior is designed to be minimal and easy to clean, reducing difficulties with upkeep.
Projected Mall Directory
The domes are placed in their location in relation to attraction without blocking intersecting or compromising traffic.
In The Future
Seasonal changes- The default dome settings evolve over the year to adhere to seasonal changes and themes. Additionally, the heating and cooling system adjusts to the weather.
Event Spaces- Storefronts can rent out domes for VIP events or pay for advertising space on the outside of the structure.
Dome Village- Once the Suburban social hub proves to be a success, the idea can be expanded to include a village of dome structures as an innovative attraction.
In Collaboration with Andreas Bolton, Jaz Rajput, Lauren Peat, and Senthurri Thiruchenthooran