NEWS & BOOKS

DESIGN CONCEPT

The NEWS & BOOKS concept is conceived as a contemporary travel hub where literature, press and curated gift items converge in a clear, legible environment. The architectural language is based on clean lines, generous transparency and warm materials, creating a calm pause within the dynamic flow of airports and transport terminals. The store acts as an illuminated “lantern” in the concourse, with high-contrast signage and open façades that invite intuitive entry.

The design is modular and replicable, allowing consistent brand recognition across 25 locations while adapting to different footprints. Central to the concept is a sequence of thematic zones—press, books, souvenirs and convenience items—organized around a strong geometric core that guides circulation and sightlines.

LAYOUT AND CUSTOMER FLOW

The spatial organization is based on a borderless threshold: large glazed fronts and wide openings remove physical barriers between corridor and interior. This encourages a seamless transition and supports self-directed browsing, essential in high-traffic, time-sensitive environments. Linear shelves define the perimeter, while lower gondolas structure the central area without obstructing long views.

A hexagonal or octagonal kiosk-like volume anchors the center of the plan, working as both a visual landmark and a functional node for high-rotation products. Circular display islands complement this geometry, softening circulation and allowing 360º access. The layout favors a one-way intuitive loop, subtly guiding customers past all main product families before returning them to the exit and cash-wrap zone.

MATERIALS AND COLOR PALETTE

The materials palette combines natural finishes with robust retail-grade surfaces. Warm-toned wood-effect flooring establishes continuity across the space and provides a neutral base that highlights merchandise. Vertical surfaces alternate between wood cladding, matte neutral paints and black metal profiles, generating a balanced contrast between warmth and precision.

Display furniture uses light birch or beech tones, rounded MDF edges and laminated tops to withstand heavy use. Dark grey shelving and black metal details introduce a graphic rhythm that frames books and products without visual noise. The overall chromatic range remains calm and desaturated so that covers, magazines and souvenirs supply the primary color accents.

LIGHTING AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Lighting is a key component of the architectural identity. A continuous white ceiling plane is animated by recessed linear LED profiles, arranged in diagonals that echo movement and subtly reference routes and trajectories of travel. These lines visually stitch different areas together and create depth towards the back of the store.

Track-mounted spotlights provide adjustable accent lighting on shelving and promotional walls, ensuring good legibility of spines and covers. Large backlit graphic panels, digital screens and clearly legible typography reinforce the brand while enabling quick orientation: zones such as “REVISTAS”, “SOUVENIRS” or “TAZAS” are immediately identifiable from the entrance.

FURNITURE, MERCHANDISING AND USER EXPERIENCE

The furniture system is designed for high flexibility and easy reconfiguration across multiple locations. Perimeter shelving maximizes vertical storage, while mid-height gondolas support cross-merchandising of books, travel essentials and gifts. Circular tiered displays highlight impulse items and seasonal collections, encouraging short dwell yet intensive browsing.

Ergonomic considerations guide counter heights, shelf depths and aisle widths, allowing comfortable use for luggage-carrying travelers. Finely detailed junctions, rounded corners and protected bases increase durability and safety in crowded environments. The result is a clear, intuitive environment that supports rapid purchasing without sacrificing the pleasure of browsing.

SUSTAINABILITY AND LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE

The design strategy integrates sustainability through material selection, lighting efficiency and modular construction. Surfaces prioritize durable laminates, engineered woods from certified sources and finishes that withstand intensive use, reducing the need for frequent replacement. Repetitive furniture modules minimize production waste and simplify maintenance across the 25 stores.

LED technology, combined with carefully calculated lighting levels, reduces energy consumption while eliminating excessive glare on glossy covers. The open-plan layout allows visual control with a limited number of staff, optimizing operational resources. Where possible, demountable partitions and freestanding fixtures are employed so that future relocations or re-branding can reuse the majority of components, extending the life cycle of the fit-out and reducing its environmental impact.