Case Study
122 m²
Area
~9 m
Ceiling Height
~60 Days
Timeline
Retail
Project Type
Category Strategy, Zoning, and Material Language
Display requirements were analyzed for each product category: running, trail, football, tennis, volleyball, and sportstyle. Based on product segmentation and category density, a clear zoning strategy was established.
The Rome store reference was not replicated mechanically. Instead, the conceptual logic behind its spatial language was analyzed and then reinterpreted according to the dimensions, ceiling height, and merchandising requirements of the Metropol İstanbul location.
Each category was differentiated not only through layout but also through material expression. Wall surfaces were designed using category-specific tones and textures to establish distinct spatial identities while preserving overall brand cohesion.
The sportstyle zone was emphasized with iron gray metal mesh cladding, reinforcing a technical and industrial character. Tennis and volleyball sections incorporated textured MDF panels to achieve a more refined surface quality. Other categories utilized textured wall finishes to create a cohesive yet differentiated background. This layered material strategy enabled visual diversity without compromising brand unity.
Strategic Use of Vertical Volume
The store featured an approximately 9-meter ceiling height. For a single-level retail space, this presented both an opportunity and a potential risk. Rather than lowering the ceiling, the upper 4 meters above the lighting line were masked in black. This intervention preserved the spatial openness, strengthened the industrial character, and avoided unnecessary cost and construction time. The contrast between the light-toned retail surfaces and the dark upper volume created depth and enhanced product focus.
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Retail System Design and Engineering
All metal profile systems, display structures, and hanging solutions were newly designed. While the visual language of the Rome store informed the system identity, all dimensions, structural configurations, and detailing were developed from scratch.
No ready-made system was used. A modular and scalable structure was created for footwear, apparel, and accessories. This flexibility allows category densities to be adjusted, campaign layouts to be implemented quickly, and operational adaptability to be maintained.
The metal system design and fabrication process represented one of the project’s most technically demanding phases. Material selection, manufacturer coordination, bending, cutting, welding, and surface treatments were all managed directly by Mars&Draft Interiors.
Lighting and Experience Design
Lighting design was positioned at the center of the retail experience. In collaboration with a lighting partner, a 3000K illumination strategy was developed. This approach preserved Mizuno’s technical and heritage-driven brand identity while ensuring accurate color rendering and product clarity. The result was a homogenous yet focused lighting distribution that supports both visual comfort and product emphasis.
Digital Integration and Sustainability
Instead of relying on continuous lightbox or printed display production, LED screens were integrated into the space. This decision enabled rapid content updates while reducing physical production requirements, contributing to a more sustainable retail solution.
Implementation, Procurement, and Process Management
The project extended beyond design development. Supplier coordination, custom production organization, procurement processes, and on-site supervision were all managed by Mars&Draft Interiors.
Works executed by different production and installation teams were regularly monitored, directed, and aligned. The entire process was conducted in close coordination with Mizuno Türkiye and delivered on a turnkey basis.
Global Brand Approval and Timeline
The final design and implementation outputs were reviewed by both Mizuno Europe and Mizuno Türkiye. Due to the accurate interpretation of the global retail language, the approval process progressed efficiently and required only minor revisions.
From proposal stage to final delivery, the total project duration was approximately 60 days. Measurement, planning, design development, system engineering, production, and on-site implementation were completed within this timeframe.
Outcome
Mizuno’s first Istanbul store was realized as a space that aligns with global retail standards, operates efficiently, and expresses a strong technical identity through clear category-based spatial differentiation.
This project demonstrates that Mars&Draft Interiors operates not merely as a spatial design studio, but as a strategic partner capable of decoding global brand systems, developing retail infrastructures, and managing integrated implementation processes at a technical and operational level.
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From Visual Reference to System Development
When Mizuno Türkiye decided to open its first store in Istanbul, the brand engaged Mars&Draft Interiors for the project. Mizuno Europe provided only photographic references of the Rome store along with the brand guideline document. No technical drawings, production files, or system documentation were available.
This project was not a direct implementation but an act of interpretation. The objective was to decode Mizuno’s global retail identity from visual references and reconstruct it spatially, technically, and operationally within the context of Metropol İstanbul.
Spatial Analysis and Data-Driven Planning
As no accurate and up-to-date architectural plan existed, the first step involved re-measuring the entire space and translating it into a precise 2D layout. Establishing this technical foundation ensured that all subsequent design decisions were grounded in measurable accuracy.
The original layout included one large and one small fitting room. The space was reconfigured to create three equally scaled fitting rooms, improving both operational flow and spatial balance. The storage and staff circulation areas were resized, allowing the customer zone to be optimized more efficiently.
Storage capacity was calculated in collaboration with Mizuno Türkiye, based on product quantities and average box volumes. The spatial strategy was therefore not purely aesthetic but supported by operational data and inventory logic.
