Tradition store
Loja da Sementeira is a traditional store with many years in the city of Porto and, because it is a local and historic establishment, it is included in the Porto Tradição program, created by Porto City Council to revitalize economic activities and enhance the city's heritage. This store, being a heritage site and having several conditions to respect, needed a careful approach to highlight its presence on the busy Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, where all the buildings have stores.
With the aim of highlighting the façade and representing the products sold by the store, we took inspiration from elegant Parisian façades. We created a sign that includes the store's name and logo, and ends with green elements at the top, symbolizing the horticultural products the store offers. In addition to the company name, we also included the address on the sign to make it easier for customers to find it.
To increase visibility, we added a banner designed to attract the attention of passers-by, encouraging them to get to know and visit the store. The banner was strategically placed so that it could be seen by passers-by, further highlighting the presence of the establishment.
Outside, we installed large vases that replicate the design of the window panel. These pots not only embellish the entrance, but also display products for sale, allowing pedestrians to have a first contact with the items offered by the store.
Tradition store
One of the biggest concerns was the lighting in the store. We noticed that, from the outside, the store looked very dark, making it difficult to see the products. The way shopkeepers attract consumers and encourage them to consume has changed over the decades. The experience that involves the consumer is based on a series of physical and emotional elements that translate into a greater predisposition to buy.
Lighting is a key element in creating environments. The comfort that lighting provides leads us to spend more time in that space, and as such, increases the predisposition to buy. We therefore carried out a detailed lighting study to ensure that the interior was always well lit. We implemented different types of lighting to create a pleasant and functional environment:
General Lighting: We ensured uniform lighting throughout the space, providing a comfortable and welcoming light base.
Shelf Lighting: We installed directional lights on the shelves to highlight specific products, making them easier to see and arousing customer interest.
Accent Lighting: We used accent lighting to draw attention to certain items, creating environments with different lighting levels and varying color temperatures.
This not only improves the visibility of the products, but also creates a visually interesting and dynamic environment.
Finally, we restored the original counter, which has been there since the store opened. We kept the historic design, replacing only a few details with wooden blocks to preserve the authenticity and charm of the old counter, thus preserving the historic identity of Loja da Sementeira.
