Washington, DC and San Francisco

The Background
Pompei A.D. was commissioned by Discovery Channel to develop the concept and design for Discovery flagship destinations that would effectively communicate the Discovery Channel message, “Explore Your World”. The goal in creating the flagships was to bring the Discovery Channel to life by educating, entertaining and empowering people of all ages to engage their curiosity through the use of interactive displays and state-of-the-art products. The Client
Discovery Channel Stores are part of the leading global real-world media company, Discovery Communications Inc., which includes a broad network of educational and informational channels.

The Concept
The concept behind the design was to connect with the customer on several levels. Pompei A.D. worked to seamlessly integrate elements of a retail store, an educational venue, and an entertainment destination into one innovative configuration. This hybrid concept would place the customer in the role of explorer as well as retail shopper.

The Design
Pompei A.D. worked closely with Discovery to determine which of the Discovery Channel’s stories would be the most evocative and engaging in this environment. Pompei A.D. developed complete exhibits and retail fixture systems, and the store became a platform for programs through environment, merchandise, a/v media, exhibits, attractions and events.

Pompei A.D. collaborated with numerous specialist artisans to maintain the authenticity of the various exhibits. Exhibits included a 60,000 year old fossilized bear cave, complete with geodes and gemstones, a Chesapeake Bay core sample, a live ant colony, a life-size skeletal cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a restoration of a B-25 airplane nose cone. A sculptural 270o video wall was mounted, and Pompei A.D. worked closely with the digital interactive producers to ensure aesthetic integration of the on-screen experience.

The Result
The three-level 30,000-square-foot Discovery Channel flagship in Washington, D.C. served as the prototype for a second 10,000 square-foot flagship in the Sony Metreon in San Francisco. Upon completion, Pompei A.D. provided the client with a design hand-off package to facilitate a nationwide roll out.

The Washington, DC flagship store was praised in the New York Times for “pushing the boundaries of retailing, combining extensive interactive displays and educational offerings in an inviting environment that makes buying an afterthought.” The flagship stores in Washington, DC and San Francisco were awarded Store of the Year in 1999, and 2000 by VM SD magazine. The content-rich, authentic environments of the stores enabled the customer to play an active role in the genuine experience of personal discovery.