Cartier Spatial Study — Surah Fayed

Panoramic view along a coral colonnade with palms, layered seating, lanterns and a patterned stone floor — The palm colonnade / Spatial overviewConcept visualisation

A sense of occasion.

A palm-lined approach beneath a monumental columned canopy, with a gold Cartier display wall beyond — The arrival courtConcept visualisation

Architecture as a jewellery setting.

Front view of the golden gallery with a fan-shaped luminous backdrop and central jewellery displays — The golden gallery / Jewellery display environmentConcept visualisation

A story to spend time in.

Coral arches, palm planting and a lattice partition framing an archive display and green seating — Archive imagery / Seating & displayConcept visualisation

A jewellery exhibition setting with textile displays, framed imagery, palm leaves and coral columns — Exhibition setting / Textile, object & landscapeConcept visualisation

Room for connection.

A hospitality bar against a backdrop of layered arches and Cartier signage within a coral-toned hall — The hospitality bar / An architectural backdropConcept visualisation

The visual archive / 11 project images

A palm-lined approach beneath a monumental columned canopy, with a gold Cartier display wall beyond — 01The arrival court

A warm golden jewellery gallery framed by layered sculptural arches and illuminated vitrines — 02The golden gallery — first framing

Front view of the golden gallery with a fan-shaped luminous backdrop and central jewellery displays — 03The golden gallery — second framing

Coral arches, palm planting and a lattice partition framing an archive display and green seating — 04The archive salon

A jewellery exhibition setting with textile displays, framed imagery, palm leaves and coral columns — 05Display, textile and landscape

A framed view through glass doors into the palm-filled salon with lanterns, green seating and archive photographs — 06The salon threshold

Panoramic view along a coral colonnade with palms, layered seating, lanterns and a patterned stone floor — 07The palm colonnade

A hospitality bar against a backdrop of layered arches and Cartier signage within a coral-toned hall — 08The hospitality bar

White seating arranged beside a lattice-topped display partition under coral arches — 09The white lounge

A wider perspective of the white lounge with layered rugs, palm planting and exhibition imagery — 10A lounge perspective

A luminous curved passage with a gold fan motif, Cartier signage and planted edges — 11The luminous passage

01 / 11

Environmental architecture / Design development

A display environment that can change without being discarded.

The environmental reading links display, archive and hospitality to the life of a retail interior. Repeated display elements, filtered light and open social spaces become starting points for a reusable fit-out, with controlled lighting, separable materials and a clear maintenance strategy.

Concept reading & proposed strategies

01

Moodboard / atmosphere & material

Filtered light / social space — project visual reference — Filtered light / social space

Display / focused light — project visual reference — Display / focused light

Architectural rhythm / threshold — project visual reference — Architectural rhythm / threshold

References assembled from the project visualisations: atmosphere, material rhythm and patterns of occupation.

02

Colour palette

Coral#CB846A
Palm green#526143
Mineral ivory#E6D7BC
Warm metal#B29150
Dark frame#393B32

An interpretative colour direction; colour does not establish material composition or environmental performance.

03

Material library / reasons & responsibilities

Graphic swatches and proposed specification directions. Product identities and installed specifications are not verified by the renders.

Graphic material study for Coral-coloured surfaces; not a physical sample

M01 / Specification direction

Coral-coloured surfaces

A strong colour language can survive selective repair and reconfiguration.

Decision, trade-off & evidence

Visual reference: Coral colonnades and sculptural architectural surfaces.
Proposed specification: Use repairable finish systems over separable substrates; test retained structures before adding new decorative volume.
Trade-off: Curved construction and composite substrates may add hidden material and waste.
Verify: Assembly take-off, substrate condition, emissions evidence and disassembly details.

Graphic material study for Reusable display frames; not a physical sample

M02 / Specification direction

Reusable display frames

Display content can change without replacing the whole fixture.

Decision, trade-off & evidence

Visual reference: Warm metallic display surfaces and jewellery vitrines.
Proposed specification: Develop standard reusable frames, replaceable trays and mechanical fixing of glazing and finishes.
Trade-off: Gold-toned appearance does not establish a metal type or recycled content; security and conservation needs constrain reuse.
Verify: Material identification, sourcing, security brief, repair access and product-level carbon data.

Graphic material study for Glazing & mirrored elements; not a physical sample

M03 / Specification direction

Glazing & mirrored elements

An isolated damaged component can be replaced without discarding the frame.

Decision, trade-off & evidence

Visual reference: Transparent and reflective display elements.
Proposed specification: Design replaceable panes and separable gaskets, with optical and safety performance suited to the actual display.
Trade-off: Special coatings and laminates may complicate recovery; glare and display lighting must be coordinated.
Verify: Glazing specification, optical mock-up, component replacement and recovery route.

Graphic material study for Seating, cane & textile layers; not a physical sample

M04 / Specification direction

Seating, cane & textile layers

Furniture can migrate between display and hospitality arrangements.

Decision, trade-off & evidence

Visual reference: Woven chair backs, green upholstery and loose seating.
Proposed specification: Compare retained or repairable seating, replaceable woven panels and emissions-tested upholstery.
Trade-off: Natural-looking woven surfaces still require verified sourcing, durability and treatment information.
Verify: Supplier records, fibre and frame composition, abrasion performance and repair commitments.

Graphic material study for Planters & planting; not a physical sample

M05 / Specification direction

Planters & planting

Planting can contribute to spatial experience without being embedded in an unmaintainable assembly.

Decision, trade-off & evidence

Visual reference: Palm-filled social spaces and containers.
Proposed specification: Use removable planters, leak containment and climate-appropriate species with an agreed light and irrigation plan.
Trade-off: Irrigation, plant replacement and indoor lighting have resource costs; no air-purification benefit is claimed.
Verify: Planting specification, maintenance ownership, water budget and moisture protection.

04

Motif analysis / form with a consequence

01

Radiating display

Translate the fan into repeatable detachable elements, then compare material intensity with a simpler display.

02

Filtered threshold

Test screen openness against glare, visibility, circulation and maintenance access.

03

Colonnade rhythm

Use repeated bays to organise movable display and hospitality elements without constant rebuilding.

05

Environmental strategies to develop

01

A reusable retail kit

Design fixtures for changing exhibitions and replacement of individual skins, lights and glazing.

Evidence to develop

Component inventory, fixing drawings, take-back and reuse plan.

02

Light with purpose

Coordinate daylight, glare and display illuminance with conservation and security requirements; use controllable, serviceable fittings.

Evidence to develop

Daylight study, display lighting mock-up and load/control schedule.

03

Comfort & service access

Keep routes clear, provide varied seating and coordinate ventilation and acoustics with visitor occupancy.

Evidence to develop

Occupancy brief, inclusive-access review and comfort studies.

04

Careful material procurement

Compare complete assemblies, prioritise verified sourcing and record supplier labour and repair practices.

Evidence to develop

Product data, EPDs where available, provenance records and procurement responsibilities.

06

ESG / BREEAM / LEED

E

Environment

Reduce fixture replacement and test operational lighting and irrigation demand.

S

Social

Consider staff and visitors, accessible display heights, seating choice and comfortable shared spaces.

G

Governance

Separate brand concept from verified product claims; record sourcing, maintenance and reuse responsibilities.

For a future commercial interior, BREEAM Fit Out V7 and LEED v5 ID+C offer relevant themes to test. This brand-context concept is not a commissioned or certified Cartier building, and no rating is asserted.

Design decisions, relevant themes and next evidence
Design decision	Framework themes	Evidence to develop
Reusable display system	BREEAM: materials and circularity. LEED: Materials & Resources / reuse and procurement.	Fixture inventory, separation details and verified product data.
Glare, display light & comfort	BREEAM: health, wellbeing and energy. LEED: Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy & Atmosphere.	Lighting calculations, daylight study and occupancy assumptions.
Planting & care	BREEAM / LEED themes: water stewardship and operational management.	Irrigation demand, leak protection and maintenance ownership.

No certification, rating, credit award or measured saving is claimed. Scheme, location, project boundary, product evidence and performance studies must be resolved before assessment.

Framework references & research basis

Official guidance reviewed 2026-10-19. The project-specific strategies above are design proposals and interpretations of the visual studies.

Project notes & details

The spatial idea

A brand,
experienced in space.

An intimate display. A generous place to gather.

The study brings a sculptural jewellery gallery into dialogue with open, palm-filled social spaces. Golden surfaces focus attention on the jewel, while coral colonnades and latticed screens create a setting for exhibition, conversation and hospitality.

Light connects these environments. It becomes a luminous backdrop within the gallery, a pattern across the floor and a softer atmosphere around the seating. Archival imagery, textiles and planting bring further layers to the experience.

Spatial design and visual direction by Surah Fayed. Concept visualisations.

Role: Spatial design
& visual direction
Brand context: Cartier
Focus: Display, archive
& hospitality
Format: Concept visualisations
Visualisation: Developed in collaboration
with a visualiser

Architecture as a jewellery setting.

Layered sculptural surfaces frame the displays. A luminous fan form creates a focal point behind the vitrines, holding the jewel at the centre of the room.

A story to spend time in.

Archival imagery, textiles and display objects sit within a softer social setting. Coral columns, green seating and palm canopies give the exhibition a sense of warmth and life.

Room for connection.

A bar and layered seating extend the spatial experience beyond display. Repeated arches, reflective surfaces and planting keep these places connected to the wider architectural language.

The visual archive / 11 project images

Select an image to explore the full gallery.

A sense of occasion.

A palm-lined approach and a monumental canopy establish scale before the encounter becomes more intimate. A golden focal point draws the eye through the arrival sequence.

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