Future → Built Creatively
“Coir Retail Cum Experience Centre” is a project by Shefali Kiri, a BSc Interior Design and Decoration 2023 batch student at JD School of Design, powered by JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru. Inspired by the tactile qualities, weaving techniques, and cultural significance of coir craftsmanship, the project explores the theme of sustainability, experiential retail, and craft revival. It aims to create a contemporary retail and experience centre that bridges traditional coir craftsmanship with modern design practices, while responding to the growing need for immersive, educational, and environmentally conscious spaces.
The project is designed for craft enthusiasts, conscious consumers, designers, and visitors interested in handmade products and sustainable living, keeping their interaction, learning, and sensory experiences at the centre of the design process.The design approach focuses on experiential storytelling, material exploration, sustainability, and user engagement, ensuring that the space feels both interactive and cohesive. Through research into coir weaving techniques and artisan-based production processes, the project identifies the importance of creating platforms that connect users directly with craft traditions and making practices.
Materials such as coir, natural wood, woven textures, earthy finishes, and eco-friendly surfaces, along with techniques including layered spatial planning, handcrafted detailing, and integrated workshop displays, were chosen to create a warm, tactile, and immersive environment.Visually, the project is defined by earthy tones, woven patterns, raw textures, and minimal contemporary forms that reflect the organic nature of coir craftsmanship. The final outcome, a retail and experience centre with exhibition and workshop spaces, embodies sustainability, cultural storytelling, and interactive learning while encouraging visitors to engage with the craft through observation and participation.Through this project, the designer aims to highlight the evolving role of traditional craftsmanship within contemporary design, positioning interiors as a tool for cultural preservation, sustainability, and social empowerment. Ultimately, “Coir Retail Cum Experience Centre” stands as a reflection of how heritage crafts can be reinterpreted into meaningful, modern experiences that connect artisans, materials, and users in a shared design narrative.
