Perpetually guided by our vision to create transformative experiences that elevate everyday life, MG2 celebrated its fifty-year anniversary of delivering award-winning architecture and design projects across the globe.
In 2021, MG2 celebrated five decades of success. And true to our humble nature, we marked the occasion without much public fanfare. With the world still partially in lockdown, it was a challenge to truly celebrate how we’d originally intended. But the lavish parties we’d envisioned soon gave way to a whole host of virtual storytelling and celebratory experiences that were just as heartfelt and inclusive. And, in a way, it was more meaningful than we could have ever expected.
With everyone’s attention focused elsewhere the last year few years, it would have been easy to let this significant milestone pass by unnoticed. Instead, we decided to mark the occasion as much as the virtual nature of 2021 allowed: by documenting the big ideas of our leaders, elevating the perspectives of our diversifying employees, and putting it all out there, rough cuts, raw emotions, and real ideas.
To commemorate, we wanted to provide the firm with something new and unexpected. We curated numerous experiences and opportunities for staff to contribute throughout the year, with those compiled into a final physical and digital “zine” to encapsulate the past 50 years and look forward to the next 50. As a group of skilled visual designers and creative writers, our Creative Services and Marketing teams were uniquely positioned to bring the firm’s story to life through in-depth interviews, thought-provoking prompts, crowd-sourced ideas, and podcast-style conversations. We illuminated our people through photography, video, editorial design, and illustration. We shot for the moon.
It was important to us that this celebration have its own personality. We wanted it to have characteristics inspired by our past, but also have a cool new slant inspired by the future we envision for ourselves. In debating whether we should celebrate our past or nod to the future, we realized, why not both? Thus our 50th Anniversary theme of “looking both ways” was formed: by looking in the mirror and really asking, “who is MG2?” we can see the vision of our past refract into the future.
We looked past the traditional to pay homage to the innovative trajectory of our firm while honoring the grit and sheer determination our foundation is built on.
On the Creative Services team at MG2 we love round robin design. It’s a true melting pot for everyone to collaborate and put forward their ideas for iteration and improvement. We leveraged the tactic when developing our 50th Anniversary logo: one of us started with a sketch, then passed it to the next person. They refined and then passed it on again. Rinse and repeat. Over time we started to tease out these amazing ideas that everyone had a hand in. And in the end, there’s no better feeling then when each of us looks at the final product and sees a little sliver of our original idea.
With so much incredible content to gather, we leaned into a physical format to feel like a time capsule and live on past our 50th Anniversary. Our goal was to immortalize what this anniversary meant to employees from all experiences and perspectives, and bring it to life through something that was unique, artful, and a little rough around the edges. Something cool and fun to display on our coffee tables amongst editions of Rizzoli and Phaidon.
The zine is comprised of three chapters, each depicting a certain time period of the firm. Each chapter features a distinct design personality; from color palette and typography to creative writing and voice, we wanted each element to feel like it belonged.
When you read the first chapter, “Reflections,” you’ll feel the pride that our founder Doug Mulvanny felt when he started the firm from a small rented desk and a phone line. You’ll also observe the confident leadership transition to Jerry Lee and the impact he created on the firm and in the community. This chapter’s visual language consists of a magenta palette with coral accents and straightforward sans serif typography to pay homage to “what was.”
“Looking Both Ways” gives a more in depth look at MG2 today, and how CEO Mitch Smith found his way to the firm, climbed the ranks, and intends to lead us into the next 50 years. Among stories from employees across the firm, President Russ Hazzard talks about his “take the bull by the horns” approach. This chapter’s color palette takes influence from our focus on sustainability with pops of teal and a rich grass green. Typography comes to life through our standard typefaces, but with a twist of something new.
Finally, you end in an experimental play land, “Refractions.” As our female leadership takes center stage with CCO MJ Munsell and COO Celeste Lenon, electric colors of blue and coral erupt from the page as our typography twists and turns energetically, refracting the possibilities for our future.
The small touches really allow the zine to shine. We’ve integrated our audio and video experiences via QR codes that launch you to our “Conversations” series podcasts and video interviews with our executive team. Photo spreads are punctuated with die cut paper pieces that pace your experience and add a touch of whimsy. Gate fold timelines expand our history past, present, and untold future to create something truly interactive. Even the paper choices have been carefully selected to evolve and shift with the eras of stories they tell. And finally the zine is wrapped in one final iteration of our logo, this time dissecting it with notes and key drawings reminiscent of architectural plans.
Compiling this zine was truly a passion project for us. A predominantly virtual world made for a complex challenge to solve in celebrating MG2’s 50th Anniversary. But our people and their stories made it worthwhile. We’re excited to bring this anthology along with us as 2022 ushers in year one of “the Next 50.” Cheers to a notable past, inspiring present, and very bright future for MG2.
Walls that move. Display racks and tables that can be reconfigured. How agility is becoming critical in store design today.
This International Women’s Day, WWD’s Fairchild Studio teamed up with Berns Communications Group to spotlight 25 women who represent inspirational leaders in business.
These women have not only overcome challenges and faced the glass ceiling head-on but have fostered space within the fashion, apparel and retail industry for future women leaders to grow — even taking the time to give other women a helping hand.
Here, WWD hears more from these extraordinary women on challenges they see in the industry, the opportunities for young women in business and advice they would give their younger selves.
Irvine, California is well-known for its beautiful parks, friendly residents, low crime rate, and excellent educational system. With its population expected to grow further, this California city is bound to become an even more popular place to live and do business.
If you want to open a retail business in this lovely city, the list below includes the best contractors in the area. The firms were chosen based on history, reviews, and awards.
In the wake of yet another challenging year for our firm, our industry, and our world, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the incredible accomplishments and achievements of our dedicated team. As we enter 2022—a journey toward both unlimited opportunities and possibilities unknown—we’re thrilled to recognize this dedication, resilience, and passion with the promotion of one hundred MG2 employees across our global offices.
Amongst our leadership, we’re excited to welcome four new Principals—Shannon Suess, Terry Odle, Mai-Lee Lam, and Mat Yeung—four new Associate Principals—Barbara Granados-Saldana, Amy Hart, Cheryl Usnick, and Ta-Ren Chyn—as well as two new Shareholders—Janelle Schneider and Jooyeol Oh.
See Terry’s promotion announcement in the Los Angeles Business Journal →
Beyond leadership, it is an honor and a privilege to nurture the careers of, recognize, and promote dozens of MG2 associates across every department, market, and level. There are no minor roles here; we would not be the firm we are today without all of our employees’ incredible talent and perseverance. We are grateful to have extraordinary individuals helping define and deliver a boundless future for MG2 and our clients, bringing your best to everything you do, and making our firm such a special place to be.
This post was originally written for & published by The Lionesque Group.
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In late January, our team had the pleasure of attending NRF’s annual Big Show conference in New York, where I had the honor of leading a captivating panel discussion about the future of the industry. With so much changing in retail over the past two years it was a welcome opportunity to connect with brands and experts in person and hear about their innovative approaches toward keeping up with consumer expectations and demands.
Here are our top five takeaways from what’s important for retailers, brands, and designers to keep at the forefront as they bring future generations of digital and physical consumer experiences to life:
As consumers continue to evolve how they shop, blurring the point-of-sale lines across digital and physical spaces, brands need the ability to continually and fluidly advance their offering. Any instance of friction during the payment process can kill the purchase. Unearthing and implementing streamlined methods of putting payment in the hands of consumers and/or in-store associates is essential.
When it comes to in-store layouts, art meets science. We have more access to data and insights today than ever before, highlighting customer patterns, capturing interactions with store associates, and illuminating friction points. This data is vital to informing agile design strategies, which need to morph alongside the customer. Industry partnerships, like the one announced between The Lionesque Group and Pathr.AI, will be key to defining and strengthening the future of consumer/brand relationships.
To truly be successful, store associates require information to be at their fingertips, both for back-of-house and consumer-facing interactions. Instant visibility as to what’s on the floor, what’s in the back, and what’s available at another store’s location isn’t just an expectation of today’s customer, it’s necessary to embolden the prospects of a sale and fortify brand loyalty.
Consistent with The Lionesque Group’s recent industry survey findings, every moment a store associate has real-time visibility into the full scope of their inventory adds up to millions of dollars saved by the retailer. Using technology to empower associates with this knowledge bolsters store efficiency, optimizes productivity, and streamlines delivery performance.
Whether they’re standing in a store, browsing online, interacting with social media, or playing in the metaverse, consumers want and expect a congruent, simplified “click-to-buy” experience that’s seamless across every presence of a brand.
They’re seeking an “all-of-the-above” optionality that is as fluid as they need it to be in the moment, and this agility is critical as we think about designing the store of tomorrow. Digital integration will need to empower both store associates and the consumer to be able to move interchangeably when visiting different brick and mortar locations so they have the options, access, and efficiency they desire.
Consumers speak with their wallets, and more and more their love language is shifting toward an expectation in transparency, sincerity, and sustainable practices from the brands they support. This further includes retailers being net-positive to the environment, as well as striving for social and community equities.
The real onus, however, is on the full ecosystem coming together to truly make a difference consumers can see and resonate with. Brands and retailers need to own and optimize their supply chain, making it more accessible from a cost and candor standpoint for consumers.
One of the lessons shared by Saskia van Gendt of Rothy’s was a profound sense of understanding of the brand’s own role in the process. “If you own the supply chain,” he notes, “you can truly impact things. For example, you can set up for on-demand manufacturing so as not to leave waste.”
The metaverse—the industry’s newest buzzword—holds the promise of and capacity to meld physical retail with mixed reality experiences. However, we’re already years into this convergence of digital and brick-and-mortar, with offerings like virtual endless aisles that consumers can browse for hours, just as they might window shop in-store.
Innovative technology has, and continues to fuel the future of retail data collection and analysis, powering responsive IoT connectivity via RFID, sensors, digital displays, and products that ignite an overlay of immersive media. The digital/physical overlap will only continue to grow.
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Reach out to our team to learn more about how we’re helping define the future of brick-and-mortar retail for brands.
In our constant curiosity and investigation of consumer behaviors and expectations, we utilize data insights to help uncover and validate where we can deliver true points of gratification within the customer journey. Here is a snapshot of key takeaways from our latest consumer survey. Our full deck with all our insights is available for download at the bottom of this preview.
As consumers adjust to their hybrid worlds and the merging of digital and physical deepens, we take a look how consumer behaviors, needs, and expectations impact “the role of the store.” In this survey, we investigate the utility technology plays, the inherit value it brings us and how that can inform opportunities for physical retail environments.
Kathy Kuo Home is a boutique home furnishings brand that offers modern and classic home decor for all interior design needs. With a robust and loyal online following, Kathy Kuo Home sought to create its first permanent flagship location with the assistance of MG2 / The Lionesque Group. In addition to curating in an inviting, laid-back, dog-friendly space where customers can immerse themselves in possibilities, Kathy Kuo and her team also wanted to bring their online design center, full digital catalog, and tailored consultation offering to their clients in the heart of Southampton, New York.
The resulting experience is one that perfectly embodies the brand’s high-end offerings, seamlessly weaving together the delight of in-person discovery with the ease of digital retail technology and expert design consultation.
Within just 4,000 SF of retail space, the Kathy Kuo Home flagship uses vignette scenes to feature a hand-selected assortment of the brand’s best-selling products, including indoor and outdoor furniture, décor, and lighting in a range of styles. The store also houses a design resource center for KKH designers to work one-on-one with clients in-person to design their home, and will further serve as a destination for curated events hosted in-store.
Transcending an environment that feels like Kuo’s own Hampton home, it’s an experience that successfully welcomes everyone in the space, encouraging exploration and fueling inspiration.
“Interacting with our customers has always been a top priority for the brand, and there’s no better way to do this than in person.” said Kuo in an interview with Forbes just prior to the store’s grand opening, “We’ve seen continued success through investing in our relationships by providing our high-touch services online and now will have the opportunity for continued growth. Having a physical location will allow us to connect with and serve more customers and clients than ever before, aiding in our brand mission to help as many people as possible love where they live.”
Since opening doors, Kathy Kuo Home’s flagship store has been featured in Architectural Digest, Insider Trends, Modern Luxury, and Business of Home.
It was also awarded the honor of House Beautiful’s 2021 Best Home Stores in America Right Now.
To generate awareness and sales for the first exclusive launch of Packer Shoes x Asics and Mitchell & Ness capsule collections.
Packer Shoes contracted MG2 for their 4th Pop-Up Store in NYC. With the goal of capturing U.S. Open-based media and foot traffic, MG2 secured Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station and was the lead project management team for the #GAMESETMATCH activation.
Located at the pinnacle of passerby traveling from NYC to Arthur Ashe stadium, the 3-day pop-up captured thousands of visitors daily and was featured in major industry publications including SneakerNews, HypeBeast, Sole Collector, and more.
To promote the release of the second season of Prime Original show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the iconic Carnegie Deli was brought back to life through a pop-up deli experience that transported visitors back to the era of the TV series, with everything from décor, to pricing, to the menu, reflecting 1950’s New York City as depicted in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, making it a fully immersive and highly photographable experience.
Tool of North America hired MG2 as their full-service partner to design and render, as well as source and manage, the production of the immersive environment for the pop-up, with a2zrestaurant as the operational partner.
The pop-up deli experience was an extraordinary success, it served 11,000 people and had a waiting list of 8,000. The pop-up garnered 280 pieces of press coverage including Buzzfeed, Forbes, Vogue, Eater, USA Today, and 10 broadcast segments, with a social media reach of 45 million.
2019 One Show Awards Finalist for Experiential Design and Indoor Spaces
Brand Awareness and education for ManiMatch the app that lets you virtually paint on nail polish. (Using augmented reality technology, the app allows you to digitally test drive over 200 different Sally Hansen shades!)
MG2 was tapped by Sally Hansen’s digital agency, CULT LDN, to be the partner production agency for the pop-up nail bar. We partnered to source the location, design 3D renderings, oversee production build, and source store staff.
Over the 3-day pop-up had over 2,500 visitors, drove over 19 million social media impressions, and was cited as a “Genius App” by Teen Vogue and “Best Way to Shop” by Mashable.
Evaluating and identifying the turnkey operational strategy in relation to data driven technology and brand curation while further solidifying goals of the overarching retail experience at the property.
MG2 worked closely with the Steiner + Associates team to ensure the turn-key program would be a success. MG2 provided guidance on needed IT infrastructure to support technology integration(s) and evaluated and ensured the design technology investments aligned with Easton Town Center customer DNA as well as met the needs of target brands and retailers. MG2 also strategized a comprehensive staffing and operational plan and consulted on the pricing structure and needed tenant amenities to establish a positive NOI.
ShopLAB is a lower risk solution for the retailers, allowing them to test their performance at Easton Town Center while they measure customer capture potential and the online halo effect of the brick-and-mortar location. The program places a strong emphasis on local Ohio brands, unique gifts and concepts, experiential retailers looking to test out the Columbus market as a future long-term investment.
When Tempo—an industry leader in the burgeoning world of home fitness—sought to expand its connection with consumers by branching out into the physical retail market, they partnered with MG2 / The Lionesque Group on a holistic approach toward the strategy, design, and build-out of new stand-alone stores.
Applying the data and learning from its partnership retail spaces, Tempo sought a retail offering that goes beyond demoing its products and services. A unique customer journey steeped in education and daily possibilities as part of the Tempo community was carefully curated, showcasing the potential for a healthier, fuller lifestyle, fueled by the strength derived from the brand’s offering. Featuring inspiration from coaches and the company’s founder himself, Tempo’s brick-and-mortar story helps consumers envision a marriage of activities in the real world—rock climbing, surfing, hiking, and more—and your wellness partner at home.
In addition to a comprehensive approach toward strategy, design, and build-out of stores, designers partnered with Tempo on an alignment of KPIs for its new retail spaces. A series of market studies helped the teams determine the right square footage and cities for pilot stores, while simultaneously partnering on and driving everything from concept development, retail strategy plan, and budget assessments, to design fit and project management.
With doors opening in Manhattan and Bellevue, Washington on time for the holiday season, Tempo is primed to properly analyze and optimize its brick-and-mortar retail strategies, while fully immersing home fitness enthusiasts in what’s possible as part of their unique community.
Ranked 5th in the top 100 best companies to work for in Washington state.
MG2s mantra is people make place. The 50-year-old firm has a robust DEI initiative with a five-year timeline that involves all staffers. It emphasizes sustainable design practices and invests in staff development through leadership training, coaching programs and free LinkedIn Learning courses. Staff events include happy hours, movie nights, ping-pong tournaments and Mariners games.
The U.S. has seen several retailers across the country forced to close their brick-and-mortar stores amid the rise of e-commerce over the past few years. However, we are in the midst of a brick-and-mortar boom, with retailers expected to open more stores this year than they close, for the first time since 2017, according to an analysis of more than 900 chains by IHL Group, a research and advisory company. At the same time, the e-commerce businesses of retailers have become more dependent on physical stores to fulfill orders, especially during the holiday shopping season. Lionesque Group CEO Melissa Gonzalez joins Cheddar News’ Closing Bell to discuss.
Architect and AIA 2030 Founder Edward Mazria once said, “We tend to rush toward the complex when trying to solve a daunting problem, but in this case, simplicity wins. Better buildings, responsible energy use, and renewable energy choices are all we need to tackle both energy independence and climate change.”
Straightforward, responsible design has long been at the core of MG2’s strategy and philosophy, with sustainable principles and applications woven into our projects at every opportunity. Our three sustainability values—Environmental Stewardship, Purposeful Efficiency, and Restorative Measures—are a simultaneous embodiment of where our firm was the year they were defined and reflect where we want to be in the years to come. MG2 has worked to raise the bar on our designs over time, evolving to match—and where we can, exceed—sustainable certifications and benchmarks.
“We had always reviewed our specifications for opportunities to suggest sustainable products and methodologies to our clients, which when we started were just better choices from a location and ‘better for the environment’ point of view,” says Russ Hazzard, President of MG2.
“Today, those sustainable vendor and materials recommendations aren’t just convenience, they’re a fundamental part of our DNA and design process. As a result, clients who once might not have been open to alternatives are looking to us as experts and advocates, armed with the right solution to set them on a path toward a more sustainable future.”
As architects and designers of built environments, the implications of everything we do, of every project we take on, are unmistakable. AIA’s 2030 Challenge outlines two specific goals that pledge firms must strive toward:
“Greenhouse gas emissions reduction is the challenge of the century for the entire industry.” states Johnny Klemke, Building Performance Analyst at MG2, “How do we keep building more and more while producing less and less impact in the natural environment? That’s the question we’re taking on at MG2. By helping teams come up with more efficient, less carbon-intensive solutions for their designs, we’re also showing clients that sustainability doesn’t need to be a cost burden on the project.”
By helping teams come up with more efficient, less carbon-intensive solutions for their designs, we’re showing clients that sustainability doesn’t need to be a cost burden.
Johnny Klemke, Building Performance Analyst
“Our greatest hurdle is bringing the industry along with us,” says Jon Guerechit, a designer at MG2 helping to lead our operating energy initiative, “One benefit is that indisputable data makes it easier to convince clients that a cost-saving measure can also serve the environment. But the numbers aren’t always in our favor. Embracing the mindset of being a steward of the environment is harder because it forces stakeholders to think differently and invest in the distant future. It’s a mentality we’re pushing for across the board.”
Today, as we continue to evaluate and evolve our firm’s sustainability action plan, we’re committed to going above and beyond the goals outlined by AIA’s 2030 challenge by adding two more of our own:
From improving indoor air quality to reducing construction waste, the materials our architects and designers specify matter. Our choices represent an enormous opportunity to enhance the health of the planet and the people who live on it.
In addition to becoming proud signatories of the AIA Materials Pledge, MG2 has created our own rigorous Materials Evaluation System. Using a stoplight structure, our specialists analyze and rank every vendor, product, and material we use, to ensure that where and whenever possible, we’re adhering to the highest attainable sustainability standards for a better future.
PCC Community Markets—the largest grocery co-op in the United States—has partnered with MG2 for years on their journey to better their store’s materials and target LBC Petal Certification. In its Ballard location, the first grocery store in the world to be certified, over 40% of the materials—just shy of $1.4M—were sustainably sourced, with 9.2% of those derived from within 100 miles. Additionally, 100% of the store’s wood is FSC certified, with 10% of the elements reclaimed or reused.
“There is a misconception that we need to pursue green building certification to push for sustainable materials, or that we must only use sustainabile materials to make a difference in the world. Neither of these are true.”
Candon Michelle Murphy, Materials Specialist
With MG2’s data-driven materials system comes a deep reservoir of knowledge and insight, but continuous education to overcome misconceptions and help our clients and partners understand the financial and environmental investment is still critical.
“The largest challenge around the selection of sustainable materials is the misunderstanding of what costs are associated with it.” mentions Candon Michelle Murphy, MG2’s Materials Librarian, “It is true that there are specific material categories on the market that represent a high cost add if the sustainable selection is desired, but there are quite a few categories where there is no or nominal fee add to make a far more environmentally-sound final installation.
“There is also a misconception that we need to pursue a green building certification to push for sustainable and healthy materials, or that we must only put in sustainable materials to make a difference in the world. Neither of these is true, however: any selection that supplies a reduction of embodied carbon, lesser the amount of VOCs put into interior spaces, and provides for reclamation of materials or diversion from landfills still makes a difference.”
Water is one of the earth’s most precious resources. While many of us take fresh, clean water for granted in our day-to-day lives, architects who create built environments in areas where this resource is not so abundant continually have its preservation, reduction, and recyclability top-of-mind.
MG2’s water conservation goal—our fourth and possibly most ambitious sustainability initiative—is to reduce indoor water use in appliances such as toilets and faucets by 30% to 45% and to reduce potable outdoor water consumption in landscaping and irrigation by 50% in every single one of our projects by the end of 2030.
“Among dozens of reasons, a reduction of water in our projects is important because it can lower water withdrawals from local water sources,” states Maribel Barba, designer and co-lead of MG2’s water conservation goals, “allowing us to better harmonize with the local environment, increase water availability for all, and improve community relations.”
While our water conservation goals may be new to many of MG2’s clients, some have been pioneering innovative technologies and water reduction tactics in their build environments for years. For example, longtime partner Costco has been working with MG2 on implementing water solutions programming into its warehouses throughout Mexico and the Southwest US for years, an initiative that awards them a 20% annual water savings.
The wholesaler giant recently took an even more significant leap into the future of water conservation with its Costco Santa Fe store. Complete with a one-of-a-kind green roof that acts as a natural extension of Parque La Mexicana, the Santa Fe location was designed with numerous water-saving technologies, including toilets and landscape irrigation that utilize recycled water and a stormwater collection system in the Parque lake. Restroom fixtures were also installed with 50% less water demand, according to baseline.
“Even when water conservation processes have been implemented for several years, I think it is still being a challenge for firms to sell this idea to some partners.” says Christian Razo, designer and co-lead of MG2’s water conservation goals, “Many do not realize how much water you can save, or even the consequences of not saving water. We do our best to educate every one of our clients on the rewards of implementing these processes, including the satisfaction of knowing that what you’re doing is helping future generations.”
We’ve come a long way in our sustainable design practices and are immensely proud of the benchmarks many of our projects and partnerships have achieved. But the reality is, MG2 is just getting started.
“When we set out to create MG2’s formal framework for sustainability, we knew it needed to resonate with all staff and be embedded in the culture of the firm.” says Mark Taylor, MG2’s Sustainability Lead, “Our data-driven approach speaks directly to the results-oriented nature of the firm and will be the backbone of our success as we continue on our journey.”
Learn more about our above-and-beyond commitment to the future of our planet in our AIA 2030 Commitment Sustainability Action Plan, or by reaching out to our sustainability team.
PCC Community Markets (PCC), the largest community-owned food market in the United States, has received Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification for its West Seattle and Bellevue, Wash., cooperative locations. The stores join PCC’s Ballard location, the first grocery store to receive this recognition, in meeting what are considered the world’s most rigorous green-building standards to earn the LBC Materials, Place and Beauty Petals from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).
In our constant curiosity and investigation of consumer behaviors and expectations, we utilize data insights to help uncover and validate where we can deliver true points of gratification within the customer journey. Here is a snapshot of key takeaways from our latest consumer survey. Our full deck with all our insights is available for download at the bottom of this preview.
The dynamic of modern grocery is kaleidoscopic, with its definition and experience being driven by today’s consumers and our ever-changing world. How can we create a holistic and accessible experience?
Since 2005, Brilliant Earth has offered the world ethically sourced, award-winning fine jewelry through its elevated web-based platform and personalized appointment-only showrooms. When the digitally-native company sought to expand its brick-and-mortar portfolio with open retail spaces, they partnered with MG2 to seamlessly translate the spirit of their digital brand and unique offerings into a real-world experience.
Like its jewelry, the retail design and rollout program for Brilliant Earth’s new showrooms was curated with thoughtful craftsmanship in every production phase. Previously, all the brand’s in-person experiences were appointment-only, with most of their spaces hidden away from window-shopping consumers on the upper floors of retail centers.
Utilizing a light, luminous, bright, and warm palette that reflected its online presence, MG2 designers brought an approachable luxury to Brilliant Earth’s new showroom experience. This new iteration of the store—the first of its kind for Brilliant Earth—brings an inviting, interactive, and educational retail experience into the brand’s program, diversifying its real estate potential with more premium, ground-level spaces, increasing awareness and engagement.
From planning to fixture design, the team boldly broke many industry barriers often seen in jewelry, such as the traditional horseshoe-shaped counters that often act as barriers.
Instead, in a direct reflection of the brand’s unique educational approach to the diamond shopping experience, MG2 designed a fixture package program that flexes and scales with each new space; a customizable kit-of-parts that can fit any format.
An entry kiosk once used to check customers in for their appointments evolved into a multi-functional digital tool. Now used to assist shoppers in industry and diamond education, the sizing of rings, and the check-out process, it’s a feature that further underlines the seamless integration of Brilliant Earth’s digital and physical offerings.
Caseline throughout the store is designed like furniture; display cases float lightly in the space, while round consultation tables equalize the service experience. This highly customized design and rollout program was achieved without raising the cost of construction for Brilliant Earth.
The Brooklyn location of Brilliant Earth represents a step forward for the brand while still adhering to the same kit of parts utilized in their other showrooms. Its unique building in Williamsburg features a vaulted ceiling and exposed brick, giving the space a larger and more roomy feel. This has granted merchandising room to grow, expanding the brand’s retail offering with six cases, an additional appointment station, and a more retail-focused reception area. With an emphasis on showcasing its fine jewelry products, this evolution in Brilliant Earth’s showroom design successfully balances its minimalist roots with an elevated, flexible retail agenda.
Similarly distinctive in its design hurdles and opportunities, Brilliant Earth’s King of Prussia showroom location—situated within a mall with limited egress and no natural light—presented unique challenges for the team to overcome. To bring the space to life, designers reprioritized the showroom’s configuration, eliminating the need for glazing, and added greater visual impact by utilizing large format graphics, wall casework, and incorporating merchandising above the cases. The warm and inviting retail story is solidified through the incorporation of recessed lighting, plush sofa seating, and education-centric pedestals at the front of the space.
The showroom’s private appointment stations were strategically relocated to the back of the space, providing guests with greater privacy while maximizing the overall flexibility of the design. By utilizing the same kit of parts as its other showrooms while adding new elements that reflect the brand, designers ensured that Brilliant Earth’s iconic bright and light personality prevailed within the confines of the darkened shopping center.
With each showroom brought to life across the country, this global leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry continues to seamlessly preserve its online identity while defining new retail experiences for its consumers, each with its own unique flair.
Community-Driven Design
Washington Federal, a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest community, is one of the nation’s largest banking institutions with 235 branches across eight states. In conjunction with their brand refresh and transition to WaFd Bank, the business sought to reposition the interior and exterior of their flagship Seattle location, creating an experience and environment that resets the brand and its corporate headquarters. Design teams worked together to bring a modern, memorable destination to life, not just for banking clients but also for the entire Seattle community.
Illuminating a Landmark
Originally designed and built in the 1980s, the WaFd space located on the historical intersection of 5th and Pike in downtown Seattle was barely noticeable to passers-by as it faded behind the trees that stood outside. The teams sought to “empower the corner”, carefully curating an adaptive reuse effort while maintaining as much of the original 40-year-old stone exterior as possible.
MG2’s team achieved this feat through a series of design innovations: Shifting the entrance to a more visible, engaging location, we replaced the vacated spot with a vibrant, secure ATM experience. The reprogramming is complemented by a refreshed and illuminated external facade with the foundational design balancing bold, inviting digital signage and traditional architectural radiance. The canopy—now transparent—has been lightened and lifted, making the space more approachable to the community. Finally, new windows and glazing enhance visibility to the engaging branding within. These components harmoniously combine to pull the streetscape inward through a new entry vestibule, welcoming customers and passers-by alike.
Elevated Localization
Digital-first wayfinding and branding elements are custom-tailored to highlight WaFd’s new technology-forward strategy. It creates content zones that warmly celebrate everything from Seattle city culture to local sports teams, connect with the bank’s audience, and showcase their most essential services and features.
Complementing the technological approach are classic touches of an approachable, community-centered financial institution: gold and bronze elements combine with warm walnut, grass-green cloth coverings, and durable brand-centric finishes to breathe color and life into the otherwise neutral space. These features are easily changeable to evolve with WaFd’s newly implemented identity.
Programming, Harmonized
The concierge desk modernizes the space, bringing it into a new era while still embracing the building’s elegance and timeless permeance. It fosters a natural circulation and point of customer service throughout the lobby. Synchronized with the design of the space is an innovative user-centered banking process that creates new, flexible, friendly ways of connecting. WaFd’s hospitality-driven programming is strategically designed to allow for a symbiotic flow of bank staff and customers from teller interactions, loan appointments, and semi-private or private meetings.
The lobby further showcases deep shadows, dark wood walls, and stone finishes indicative of Washington’s natural hallmarks, which come together to draw your eyes to the elevator wall at the back of the space. Throughout are niches and subtle cabinetry that play host to storage for the concierge, coat closets, and the retractable bank grilles.
The Confluence of Compositions
Originally made up of four separate, closed-off areas—a bank branch, lobby, hallway, and retail shop—WaFd was redesigned to become one unified space. The experience offers an optimized traffic flow, allowing patrons to circulate naturally from the banking space into a new adjoining Starbucks. The internationally revered coffee brand, who struck up a rare collaboration with our designers, wove the bold themes of WaFd’s contemporary interiors into their retail motifs, extending to a tucked-away conference room space available to WaFd and their clients. These elements come together with commissioned local artwork, fixtures, and furnishings to seamlessly blend the juxtaposition of urban community and natural landscape.
With a refocus from simply a bank branch to a complex, design-forward program with multiple traffic patterns, vignette spaces, and memorable moments, the result is a modern, transparent, and welcoming experience that resides at the delicate intersection of gracious hospitality and progressive banking.
MG2 / The Lionesque Group partnered with GGP to create a place where digitally native brands could test physical retail in a complete turnkey solution. Technologically driven, the project included RFID “Wishlist” key with analytic tracking and enabled the education of customers about their brand story and unique product offerings.
The team fully developed the program and space from the ground up, including creating all branded aspects of the store, curating brands, developing a monthly membership program, design and production of the space, operational management, and ongoing marketing & in-store event strategies.
Offering an experience that garnered 4,156 shares and over 11M impressions, a total of 15 e-commerce brands were showcased in the first chapter of IRL, with 80% viable for long-term tenancy. The innovative concept drew attention from local and national media including articles in Chicago Tribune, Glossy, WWD, Design:Retail, among others.
The Citizenry Bunkhouse is filled with handcrafted home goods from their various collections aimed at celebrating countries around the world. Located on Bleecker Street in the West Village, the pop-up gives customers the chance to shop the curated collection in person and meet the team. The objectives were to grow overall brand awareness, learn about customers, and test the viability of a permanent retail store in NYC.
MG2 / The Lionesque Group worked in partnership with The Citizenry team to evaluate and concept the optimal flow and overall store layout. Deliverables included: inspiration for key in-store moments such as the Pampas window story, fireplace moment and patio scene, as well as budget assessment sourcing and oversight for store build-out production.
After a successful 22 day pop-up with strong foot traffic, sales and growth in brand awareness in the New York market, The Citizenry extended their stay in the West Village. Over the duration of the pop-up, they garnered media coverage from major outlets including Architectural Digest and House Beautiful.
As a way to test the brick-and-mortar retail environment, The RealReal hired MG2 / The Lionesque Group as their pop-up design and strategy partner to launch a two-week holiday store in Soho, NYC. The objectives were to increase brand awareness, generate sales and test the viability of a permanent brick-and-mortar retail store.
The team provided location and design consultation for optimal layout in a retail environment and customer flow within the pop-up space. The deliverables included securing a location that best allowed TheRealReal to interact with their target demographic, sourcing of store fixtures, operational elements and back of house, and budget and production oversight from build-out to break-down.
After two successful weeks, with over 1,000 visitors
on a daily basis, The RealReal a year later opened up
a permanent location in Soho. Over the duration of
the pop-up, they garnered media coverage from
major outlets including BBC Radio, RackedNY,
HarperBazaar, Hollywood Reporter and more.
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