Multivac

The Brief

Multivac UK approached Pier Architects to reimagine their existing showroom as a state-of-the-art innovation center. As a leading manufacturer and pioneer in packaging technology, they sought a space that embodies their cutting-edge expertise.​

The project brief was to design a showroom and demonstration environment that offers a seamless customer journey. This includes showcasing the entire process: from raw ingredients being processed in a temperature-controlled cold store, to packaging, inspection, and labeling in the showroom, and finally, displaying the finished product on a supermarket shelf before cooking in the demonstration kitchen​.

The Work

Returning to a project for a valued client is always a rewarding experience. It allows us to leverage our deep understanding of their priorities and how their spaces functioned previously. A key challenge for this project was addressing slab heave and drainage issues. We effectively resolved these concerns by designing a new drainage system and replacing a portion of the existing slab.​

For this project, we focused on enhancing the customer journey by designing multi-functional spaces that remain dynamic and engaging rather than underutilized. Our design integrates transitional glimpses between areas to create a sense of discovery and flow, while reusing materials from demolished parts of the existing building to optimize costs.​

We collaborated closely with the client’s selected contractors, including cold store installers, to ensure that the functional aspects of the design seamlessly aligned with the client’s vision.​

As you enter the demonstration space, you’ll find a modern yet inviting ‘home-from-home’ kitchen to the right. This area is designed for live cooking demonstrations, featuring a soft colour palette with natural wood, white Corian countertops, and mid-grey cabinetry, complemented by accessories and plants to enhance its welcoming ambiance. Feature drop-down pendant lights over a spacious gallery-style breakfast bar further define and illuminate the space.​

In the supermarket demonstration area, the entrance is highlighted by a floor-to-ceiling white metro-tiled column, adding a sense of grandeur and offering branding opportunities. This column also functions as a media backdrop and storage along the central walkway. Track lighting guides visitors through the space, accentuating individual food display stations. A striking blue metro tile display wall serves both as a branding element and a backdrop for a double fridge display. Despite the distinct functions of the two demonstration areas, they are visually unified through a cohesive colour and material palette of tiles, wood accents, and carefully considered details.