Apple’s latest retail space, the Apple Miami Worldcenter, will officially open this Friday, marking a significant milestone for the tech giant. This store is Apple’s first to feature extensive mass-timber construction. The structure combines a modern take on Miami’s art deco architectural style with sustainable building materials, such as locally sourced timber and energy-efficient features. Designed by Apple’s in-house team, the space offers an inviting and eco-conscious environment, showcasing the company’s commitment to sustainability.

The design of the Apple Miami Worldcenter focuses on creating a dynamic and light-filled space. BJ Siegel, Apple’s retail design lead, explained the inspiration behind the project: “We were inspired by softer, undulating surfaces and the articulation of mass found in the local art deco architecture to create a lighter, more dynamic result.” The curved roof and sculpted plaster walls are nods to the city’s iconic art deco buildings, while the use of mass timber in the construction helps reduce the carbon footprint of the store.

Inside, the store’s layout includes Apple’s signature tables, some of which are lowered for accessibility. Oak framework lines the space, incorporating areas like the Genius Bar and product shelves. The store also features an area dedicated to demonstrating the Vision Pro headset. In line with Apple’s sustainability ethos, materials like biomass-based terrazzo flooring and a wood structural wall system were used, reducing environmental impact without compromising on aesthetics.

Apple Miami Worldcenter embraces biophilic design, integrating nature into the space. A densely planted public area surrounds the building, while the roof is transformed into a raised garden, blending seamlessly with the lush South Florida landscape. “Our latest store designs are an expression of Apple’s values through its emphasis on the environment, accessibility, and customer-centred experiences,” Siegel said. The design balances modern architecture with nature, creating a space that invites both customers and the community to engage with the natural world.

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A Collaborative Design Challenge

Among the notable contributors to this innovative project are Kiki van Eijk, Joost van Bleiswijk, Daphna Laurens, and Earnest Studio, who have each added their personal touch to the chair originally designed by Dutch Invertuals for an office setting. The chairs feature a variety of materials and techniques, making each one a unique artistic expression.

Wendy Plomp, founder of Dutch Invertuals, explained the inspiration behind the exhibition: “The project showcases each designer’s expertise, craftsmanship, and personal style,” emphasizing the experimental nature of the exhibition. The title Specimen suggests a scientific approach to design, much like how biologists study specimens to understand evolution. “Like biologists collect specimens to understand evolution, Dutch Invertuals invited 15 designers, highlighting each designer’s evolutionary process,” Plomp added.

Evolution of the Chair Design

Originally designed for a 5Tracks office interior in Breda, the armchair features a frame constructed from ash plywood and artificial-leather cushions. Distinct design elements include cross-shaped corners and T-shaped details at the seat’s junction with the sides. The design invites reinterpretation by designers with diverse backgrounds.

In line with Dutch Invertuals’ research-based approach, each chair is not merely an aesthetic piece but a reflection of the designer’s vision and materials. Rachel Griffin, of Rotterdam’s Earnest Studio, adapted the original design into laser-cut aluminum, while Sho Ota, a Japanese designer, transformed the frame into solid hardwood. Onno Adriaanse and Willem van Hooff, both from Eindhoven, integrated oak and maple branches into their designs, while Elly Feldstein from Copenhagen wove a hemp rope seat into her version.

Experimental Materials and Bold Designs

The range of reinterpretations includes hydro-dipped wood and metal by Myeonga Seo from Design Academy Eindhoven, as well as Jeroen Wand’s design made from offcuts of wood veneer. Some of the most striking designs came from Anna Resei, whose version draws inspiration from digital graphics, and Joost van Bleiswijk, who incorporated neon-painted plywood shards.

Other standout pieces include a rocking chair designed by Eindhoven-based Edhv, which features a curved base and copper buttons cast from fossils, while Kiki van Eijk added a playful touch with wax crayons to bring color to her chair.

Exploring Form, Color, and Textile

The remaining chairs, created by Scheublin & Lindeman, Max Lipsey, and Daphna Laurens, delve into varying relationships between form, color, and textile, making for an even more diverse and thought-provoking showcase of design.

Dutch Invertuals has long been a participant in key design events, including Dutch Design Week and the Milan Design Week, and the Specimen exhibition is another example of its commitment to pushing boundaries in the world of interior and exhibition design.

Digital and Physical Exhibitions

To complement the physical exhibition, Dutch Invertuals also created an animation showcasing 15 years of the studio’s exhibitions and digital versions of each chair. The Specimen exhibition was unveiled during Dutch Design Week in October 2024 at the studio’s space in Eindhoven.

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Hoppen’s connection with Dubai deepened after working on the Lanai Island villas at the Tilal Al Ghaf development, a high-end community being built by Majid Al Futtaim. The project, known for its sustainable and experience-focused approach, marked her return to the region after several years. “I was buzzing when I came back. The city had evolved, and it had a new energy,” she recalls. Her interior design for the villas blends elegance with comfort, featuring swirled marble, natural wood accents, and soothing colours that harmonize with Dubai’s intense light.

The designer, whose career spans over 40 years, feels a growing bond with Dubai. She’s already working on multiple projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, and is considering expanding her presence in the region. Hoppen is contemplating opening a studio in Dubai, believing that the rapid pace of development in the city warrants a local outpost to manage projects more efficiently while nurturing regional talent.

“I want to teach the next generation of designers here,” she says, envisioning a studio that would train local designers under the Kelly Hoppen Interiors umbrella. She sees vast opportunities in the region, particularly in craftsmanship and working with local talent, instead of relying solely on international designers.

Alongside her design work, Hoppen continues her partnership with Marina Home, a UAE-based retailer that sells her furniture collection. She first met the Marina Home team at a Maison&Objet fair in Paris, and their collaboration has been a success, with her pieces now available in the Middle East.

Hoppen is also passionate about cultural diversity and how it shapes design. “Dubai is such a diverse country with so many nationalities,” she explains, noting how this fusion of cultures inspires her work. She envisions a future where design reflects both the city’s rich heritage and its global influences, creating spaces that offer both comfort and individuality.

Her ambitions for the region extend beyond residential projects. Hoppen dreams of designing a boutique hotel in Dubai, inspired by the vibrancy of cities like Paris, Milan, and New York. With a vision of smaller, intimate hotels, she wants to bring a unique style to the hospitality sector in the city.

The pandemic, Hoppen believes, has shifted how people view living spaces. “It’s about family and community,” she says, observing that Dubai’s evolution into a city with both luxurious villas and community-style living is ahead of similar developments in Europe. She’s excited by the shift in design and sees Dubai as a city of the future, one where innovation and tradition merge seamlessly.

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