GB2565296A

GB2565296A - Retail environment

Info

Publication number: GB2565296A
Application number: GB1712663.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wade Roger
Original assignee: Brands Inc Ltd
Current assignee: Brands Inc Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-07
Filing date: 2017-08-07
Publication date: 2019-02-13
Also published as: GB201712663D0

Abstract

A method of providing a retail environment comprises the use of a module 104a, 104b within which retail equipment, such as product displays and points of sale, is provided. The module is also suitable for use as a car parking space. The module may be repurposed from an existing car park, or the retail environment may be converted into a car park when it is no longer needed. The module may comprise support pillars 106 and may be portable. A plurality of stacked modules may be provided to form a frame 100, with partitioning walls and floors provided between adjacent modules to form discrete units. An atrium 112 spanning a plurality of levels may be formed in the frame. An existing car park forming a frame may be repurposed as the retail environment. Also claimed is a module suitable for use as both a retail environment and as a car park.

Description

Retail Environment

The invention relates to a method of providing a retail environment, a related module and a related modular frame.

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There is an increasing demand for temporary (“pop-up”) retail environments. Such retail environments include shops and restaurants. In order to make such retail environments cost effective, they must be quick to construct and deconstruct. Additionally, there is a drive to reduce the environmental impact of such retail environments.

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It is an aim of the present invention, to solve or avoid problems with existing retail environments and related construction, whether identified herein or elsewhere, or to provide an improved or alternative retail environment or related methodology. ' According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a retail environment, the method comprising forming the retail environment in a module, the module suitable for use as a car park module. This method is advantageous, as it allows the retail environment to be provided quickly using a module which is suitable for use as a car park module. As the module is suitable for use as a car park module, the module may be i repurposed from an existing car park, or the retail environment may be converted into a car park when the retail environment is no longer needed. This reduces the environmental impact of the retail environment.

In an example, the module comprises pillars and a roof. In an example, the module is ' self contained and portable. This means that the module can be constructed off site, and transported to a location in which the retail environment is required, thereby reducing construction time at the location.

In an example, the module is of a standard size and construction. This means that the i modules are more readily available for constructing the retail environment, and can be fitted together more easily to form a modular frame (see below).

In an example, the module comprises an external opening, and the method comprises cladding the module with an external wall to cover the external opening. As modules suitable ' for car parks often include external openings for ventilation or passage of cars, closing such external openings provides greater shelter to the retail environment.

In an example, the module is within a modular frame comprising a plurality of modules, and the method comprises forming the retail environment in the modules. In an example, the modular frame comprises a plurality of adjacent modules, the method comprising partitioning the modular frame by providing a partitioning wall between adjacent modules to form discrete retail units. This means that a plurality of different retail outlets may be provided, each having its own discrete retail unit.

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In an example, the modular frame comprises a plurality of stacked modules. In an example, the modular frame comprises providing a floor between stacked car park modules to form a plurality of levels in the modular frame. i In an example, the method comprises comprising forming an atrium within the modular frame, wherein the atrium is a volume spanning a plurality of levels within the modular frame.

In an example, the modular frame is an existing car park. This allows an existing car park to be repurposed as a retail environment, allowing the retail environment to be provided in ' a low cost and environmentally friendly manner.

In an example, the method comprises constructing the module before forming the retail environment. i According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a module comprising a retail environment, the module suitable for use as a car park module. Such a module is advantageous, as it allows the retail environment to be constructed quickly using a module which is suitable for use as a car park module. As the module is suitable for use as a car park module, the module may be repurposed from an existing car park, or the retail environment ' may be converted into a car park when the retail environment is no longer needed. This reduces the environmental impact of the retail environment.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular frame comprising a module as described above and further comprising a second module, the second i module providing car parking.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a car park, the method comprising converting the mode described above into a car park. This means that when the temporary retail unit is not longer needed, it can be converted into a car ' park.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is made, by way of example only, to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a drawing of a side view of a modular frame;

Figure 2 shows a drawing of a top view of the modular frame; ' Figure 3a shows a cut away perspective view of ground level of the modular frame;

Figure 3b shows a cut away perspective view of a first floor of the modular frame;

Figure 3c shows a cut away perspective view of a mezzanine floor of the modular frame; i and

Figure 3d shows a perspective view of the modular frame.

For clarity, many of the reference numerals are omitted from Figures 3a to 3d. However, ' it will be appreciated that the modular frame of these figures is the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a modular frame 100. The modular frame 100 is located on substantially planar ground 102, which might typically be an existing ground level i car park.

The modular frame 100 comprises a plurality of first modules 104a. The first modules 104a provide a retail environment 118. The retail environment 118 comprises retail equipment, such as product displays and points of sale. The first modules 104a have a steel frame ' construction.

The first modules 104a are arranged adjacent to each other. The first modules 104a are stacked in two levels. i The modular frame 100 comprises second modules 104b. The second modules 104b are located at ground level, beneath the first modules 104a, such that the first modules 104a are stacked on top of the second modules 104b. The second modules 104b provide car parking spaces (not shown). Each car parking space is a standardised size of 2.4m by 4.8m, but could be other industry standard sizes such as 2.4m by 5.5 or 3.5m by 14m. The second ' modules 104b provide an aisle (not shown) between rows of car parking spaces. The aisle has a width of 6m, allowing cars to travel in both directions simultaneously along the aisle. The second modules 104b have a steel frame construction.

Each of the first modules 104a and the second modules 104b has a rectangular plan. Each of the first modules 104a and the second modules 104b comprises a pillar 106 (shown only on one module in Figure 2 for clarity) at each corner, with pillars 106 shared with adjacent modules. The pillars 106 extend upwardly between stacked modules, such that the pillars 106 ' are shared between the stacked modules, or at least vertically align between stacked modules. Each of the first modules 104a and the second modules 104b is a standard size. Each of the first modules 104a and the second modules 104b is 16m by 7.2m.

Each pillar 106 is steel, and has a 254 x254 x 107 kg/m universal column section. Each i pillar 106 is galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461, to ensure maximum durability and low maintenance. Each pillar 106 is fire protected using intumescent paint.

Each of the first modules 104a and second modules 104b is suitable for use as a car park module. Each of the first modules 104a and second modules 104b is capable of ' supporting cars within it, with the pillars 106 beneath a module capable of supporting cars located in that module. That is, a module can locate a car within the module, in terms of standardised car park shapes and spaces, and/or support a car on top of the module.

The first modules 104a comprise external walls 108 to cover external openings of the i modular frame 100.

The modular frame comprises a first floor 110a above the second modules 104b and below the first modules 104a. The modular frame comprises a mezzanine floor 110b. The mezzanine floor 110b is located between stacked first modules 104a. The mezzanine floor ' 110b is above the first floor 110a.

Each of the first floor 110a and the mezzanine floor 110b provides a surface for customers to walk on. Each of the first floor 110a and the mezzanine floor 110b is also suitable for supporting cars. Each of the first floor 110a and the mezzanine floor 110b is made up of i 120mm thick high strength pre-cast concrete floor units, with each floor unit being 2.4 by 8m. Each of the first floor 110a and mezzanine floor 110b comprises 16m long floor beams (not shown) with 610 x229 x 125 kg/m universal beam section.

The mezzanine floor 110b does not extend fully across the modular frame 100, so that ' an atrium 112 is formed in a central portion of the modular frame 100. The atrium has a double height ceiling.

The mezzanine floor 110b provides a mezzanine walkway 114, which overlooks the atrium 112 and provides access to the retail environment 118. The modular frame 100 comprises a staircase 116 to provide access between the first floor 110a and the mezzanine floor 110b. The mezzanine walkway 114 includes a barrier/balustrade (not shown).

The retail environment 118 is located outward from the mezzanine walkway 114. The ' modular frame 100 comprises a service zone 120. The service zone 120 is located outward from the retail environment 118, and provides space for service equipment, such as heating and ventilation equipment. The service zone 120 has a width of 2m.

The modular frame 100 comprises a lift shaft 122, to provide access between ground i level, the first floor 110a and the mezzanine floor 110b.

The modular frame 100 comprises a roof 124. The roof 124 is constructed from polycarbonate above the atrium 112 and the mezzanine walkways 114, but is constructed from sheet metal above the retail environment 118 and the service zone 120. The roof 124 ' comprises 16m long roof beams (not shown) with 533 x 210 x 82 kg/m universal beam section.

In order to provide the retail environment, the modular frame 100 is constructed by erecting the pillars 106 and inserting pre-cast or otherwise preformed floors 110a 110b. The modules used to construct the overall modular frame 100 are, themselves, frame-like, in i having more than one open side during initial construction (e.g. all side walls). The retail environment 118 is formed in the first modules 104a. As with the modules in general, the pillars and floors may also be of standard size, suitable for construction of car park modules.

In other embodiments, the modules are portable, and may be constructed off site and ' transported to environment. In other embodiments, the modules 104a 104b are already in place and used as a car park, and the retail environment 118 is formed in the existing modules.

At a later date, when the retail environment 118 is no longer needed, the retail i equipment is removed, and car parking is provided in the location previously occupied by the retail environment 118. One or more ramps can be located within, or immediately adjacent to, the modular frame, to more easily allow cars to gain access to whichever modules are required. ' Being modular in design, the entire structure can be easily brought to a site, constructed, added to or otherwise modified, repurposed and deconstructed far more easily, efficiently and effectively than with existing constructions methods for retail environments.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. ' Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. i All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. ' Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

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The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

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Claims

1. A method of providing a retail environment, the method comprising forming the retail environment in a module, the module suitable for use as a car park module. I

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the module comprises support pillars.

3. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the module is portable. i

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the module is of a standard size and construction.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the module comprises an external opening, and the method comprises cladding the module with an external wall to ' cover the external opening.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the module is within a modular frame, the modular frame comprising a plurality of modules, and the method comprises forming the retail environment in the modules. I

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the modular frame comprises a plurality of adjacent modules, the method comprising partitioning the modular frame by providing a partitioning wall between adjacent modules to form discrete retail units. '

8. A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the modular frame comprises a plurality of stacked modules.

9. A method according to claim 8, comprising providing a floor between stacked car park modules to form a plurality of levels in the modular frame. I

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, comprising forming an atrium within the modular frame, wherein the atrium is a volume spanning a plurality of levels within the modular frame. '

11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the module is an existing car park module.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising constructing the module before forming the retail environment.

13. A module comprising a retail environment, the module suitable for use as a car park module. '

14. A modular frame comprising a module according to claim 13, further comprising a second module, the second module providing car parking.

15. A method of providing a car park, the method comprising converting the module of claim 13 into a car park. I