This project was a significant undertaking for us. We were tasked with a clear but challenging brief, which was to bring the global Porsche NOW experience to life within a 4-week window from site access to completion.

This was a genuine testament of our studio’s hands-on processes and relationships with a wonderful team of dedicated and talented experts. The goal was to deliver a space that met the reputable global standards of the Porsche brand, while still injecting our own sensibilities. Although it was a race against the clock, our priority was still delivering quality, with attention to detail.

At KTD, our philosophy is simple: We Design Kind. For this project especially it meant making thoughtful choices to reduce environmental impact.

Fast-paced projects can often result in high waste, as cutting corners can be tempting when making quick decisions. However, for the Porsche NOW project, we ensured to take a more conscious approach. Rather than stripping the existing site back, we implemented a strategic reuse plan. We worked closely with the client to utilise as much of the exisiting fit out as possible, by reimagining and repurposing.

• Reskinning Joinery: Instead of manufacturing entirely new cabinetry, we reskinned existing joinery to align with the Porsche aesthetic.
• Material Circularity: Existing shelving units were cut and modified to suit new merchandise lines.
• On-Site Adaptation: We utilised materials already on site to create new merchandise shelving on castors, adding flexibility to the floorplan without the carbon footprint of new raw materials.

Designing a concept store is about balance as the cars are the heroes, but the environment must support and enhance the customer experience.

For Porsche NOW, we adhered to their global brand standards, from clean lines to high-tech finishes. At the same time, we incorporated the space with a touch of Melbourne flavour. The goal was for Chadstone visitors to feel a connection to the store’s location, not just the brand itself.

One of the key strategies was visual hierarchy and colour. Enormous pops of magenta and hot pink balanced darker architectural elements and to create excitement at the entry and entire the space. The graphics not only followed Porsche’s global guidelines but also helped highlight feature areas and lift darker corners.

A four-week turnaround of this scale requires more than design expertise. It depends on a network of trusted partners working across long days, late nights, and multiple time zones. Every detail reflects the care, coordination, and commitment of the team involved.

A hair-raising moment was bringing the vehicles into the Chadstone centre with just 2mm of clearance between doorways and columns! It was a testament to the precision of the team that it went off without a scratch.

We thank and acknowledge the partners who made this possible:

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Project Management @mannilonglegs

The Builders @claritybuildinggroup

Joinery & Upholstery @formfunctionco

Flooring @signaturefloors

Curtains @pavoneandco

Graphics @resolutionimaging

Cabinet Display @novas.au

Lighting @sphera.lighting

Furniture @ducksnestfurniture and @zenithinteriors_

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We are proud to have brought the Porsche NOW vision to Chadstone, proving that with the right team and a commitment to sustainable practice we can deliver world-class interiors.