In the wake of a successful retail roll-out in London and Paris for National Basketball Association (NBA) and Fanatics, Agilité is delighted to share a look inside the latest store – in Berlin, Germany.
To find out more about the newest opening on the continent, read the official press release from NBA Communications, below.
Creating an interactive and vibrant space for NBA fans in Germany to come together.
Fanatics and Lids opened the doors to its largest NBA Store in Europe in the heart of Berlin. NBA Store Berlin further builds on the fandom and brand presence in Europe, as well as the ongoing relationship between NBA, Fanatics and Lids.
The new NBA (National Basketball Association) flagship store that opened earlier this month is situated within the newly renovated The Playce at Potsdamer Platz, a unique shopping mall in the centre of Berlin’s dynamic community. Its purpose is to create an opportunity for fans in the region to connect and engage with the sport and each other. The real differentiator for this store is its size; at nearly 1,000 square-meters, it is the NBA’s biggest retail space in Europe. As such, this allows room to incorporate more features and activations that really bring the NBA to life. The team have added a nostalgic feel, using surprising yet familiar detailing and iconic moments from the history of the NBA. The store journey begins even before entering, with league logo silhouetted figures lining the upper section of the street-facing façade.
To create a local grounding whilst celebrating the richness and vibrancy of the NBA story, there is a seamless blend between the diversity and colours of Berlin and those of the game. Using a stripped back, minimal base palette allows the NBA colours to shine through in the products and key accent materials, such as the iconic NBA red and blue. To elevate the product presentation, consideration went into showing the pieces with well-placed lighting and branding integrated within the displays. Building brand affinity through these elements draws repeat footfall and business.
Going beyond sales to create an engaging, multi-purpose retail experience, visitors can interact with digital screens to compare their height with NBA players past and present. Other interactive features include 3D printed hand measure-ups, an NBA 2K gaming lounge, a customisation lab, and a large multi-media screen showing around the clock NBA highlights and content. An experience zone at the heart of the store also provides a space for curated events and product drops. Thanks to the scale of the store and it being across one level, the design team were able to fit NBA regulation size basketball court markings to the floor design, complete with LED basketball hoops to add an element of playfulness to the in-store experience.
Modular fixtures on moveable castors have been used throughout the store to facilitate its flexible nature. The aim is to create an interactive space for fans to engage with the NBA and build a sense of community. This store is a place for both new and lifelong fans to visit and feel a sense of belonging in an authentic NBA environment.
At Agilité, we’re no stranger to charitable initiatives — having committed to donating 2% of our profits each year to help projects close to our hearts. And, recognising the harsh reality that construction creates a vast amount of CO2 — of which mangroves are a significant consumer — earlier this year, the Agilité team resolved to make a conscious effort to preserving such a precious resource.
We joined forces with the Mangrove Action Project (MAP), a 30-year-old cause which exists to preserve, conserve, and restore the vital ecosystem. We were impressed by the organisation’s grassroots, bottom-up approach to mangrove issues, and decided to make a sizable donation in support of the numerous initiatives all over the globe.
Since our donation, the charity has had a busy calendar of activities, and we caught up with executive director, Dominic Wodehouse, to understand what our money has helped the team achieve…
Highlighting change in the Mangrove Photography Awards
The annual photography competition — organised and held by the Mangrove Action Project — aims to celebrate the beauty and diversity, while also shining a spotlight on the fragility of the world’s mangrove forests, and this year's entries were no exception.
The series of photographs — shot from all over the world — captures the rates of reforestation, deforestation, and climate change, and highlights the impact these issues have on plant populations. Referred to as ‘blue carbon ecosystems’, mangroves help to sequester and store carbon dioxide, but as such deforestation occurs, much of this carbon is instead released into the atmosphere — further advancing global warming.
A mangrove restoration workshop in the Bahamas
In April, the MAP team joined Waterkeepers Bahamas and Earthcare in Grand Bahama to lead a restoration workshop at the Rand Nature Centre — home to a thriving mangrove nursery.
After Hurricane Dorian destroyed over 70% of the island’s forests in 2019, community groups have been working hard to restore such vital ecosystems and educate the public on their important environmental role, too.
Restoration projects in Kenya
Collaborating with not-for-profit, Wetlands International East Africa, representatives from MAP travelled to Eastern Africa to lead a restoration session for members of the community.
Lamu County is home to over 60% of Kenya’s mangroves, which protect against coastal erosion and storm surges as well as providing a home to vast populations of fish and other wildlife. In addition, the plant has cultural and heritage significance in the region, with many structures, boats and other amenities being built using mangrove wood.
The workshop aimed to enhance understanding of mangrove ecology and improve project efficiencies across coastlines and was met with plenty of enthusiasm and discussion around further measures to protect such a precious resource.
To find out more about the Mangrove Action Project, head to the website. And, keep your eyes peeled for more details about our various charitable initiatives.
We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction and project management.
Each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role.
Next up, it’s our new construction manager Leon …
I was initially approached by Agilité with the prospect of coming to work for them. At the time, I was looking for a career change, and the opportunity to get back to my roots of retail construction for a growing organisation was too good to turn down.
As I previously alluded to, my experience is largely in the retail construction world — having held positions as both project and construction manager, in Germany as well as South Africa.
I oversaw the rollout of around 45 supermarkets on behalf of the biggest retailer in Southern Africa over the course of just two years. Amid this huge project, we also completed around 30 small shop fit-outs in three months — quite a significant, yet memorable, challenge!
As construction manager in Germany, I am charged with overseeing the on-site activities throughout an entire project lifecycle. Liaising with the sub-contractors, project manager, and client, I ensure that the developments are progressing within the agreed timeframe, and to an excellent standard.
There are a number of very exciting projects coming up, which I am looking forward to getting started on. The variety of Agilité’s portfolio means that the team is always kept on its toes, and we always have new obstacles to overcome.
A client that presents an interesting and challenging brief which allows us to think outside the box.
I like to stay active, so in my spare time I will either be wakeboarding on a lake in Berlin, or running in a nearby forest.
For an off-the-beaten-track trip, South America. Or, for natural beauty and a completely different cultural experience, I’d opt for Japan.
Break tasks down into small, manageable chunks.
A bespoke, general contractor that offers personalised solutions for each and every client.
I’d say the biggest challenge we are facing in the industry is waste. I think first steps towards rectifying this issue would be to change people’s mindsets around what should and shouldn’t be classed as ‘waste’.
Connect with Leon on LinkedIn to find out more about him.
We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction and project management.
Each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role. Next up, it’s project manager, Federica Pisacane, who is based out of our Luxembourg office…
Describe your job in one paragraph
My role as project manager is to foster strong customer relationships while planning and implementing the design element of our developments.
I love taking the lead on projects and site meetings, as well as delivering top quality results — not only to meet the client expectations, but to bolster Agilité’s reputation as a trusted, professional partner.
Which one word would colleagues use to describe you?
I think ‘proactive’. I love to find solutions to meet the challenges of a project and really understanding the needs of the client in order to produce the best results — both in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness.
Why do you think Agilité stands out from competitors?
We always put the customer first and are human in our approach.
You have worked in some amazing places around the world. Which has been your favourite?
As an architect of interiors, Milan has been the key inspiration for my early career. The fairs, events, and fashion have motivated my studies and ignited my passion for the industry.
What’s your biggest career highlight to date?
I have been designing retail stores throughout the pandemic which has been a real challenge and encouraged me to think outside of the box when reimagining spaces.
The phone rings and it’s your dream client… who is it?
My dream client would be one that allows me to think to 360 degrees while experimenting with new methods of design. I thrive off unconventional projects — researching new ways of managing the space is what thrills me the most.
What key piece of advice would you give to a client planning a fit-out project on a budget?
A clear brief is the best starting point to get to the result in the most efficient way. Keeping the objective and priorities in mind throughout is key to ensuring you deliver the highest quality result within the budget.
When you’re not at work, where are we most likely to find you?
On my terrace taking care of my plants — and trying not to kill them! Gardening is something that really relaxes me and I’m happiest when I’m outside on a sunny day tending to the various leafy species.
What’s next for Agilité?
To become the number one trusted partner across Europe. We continue to build a strong team — leveraging our collective expertise to strengthen our reputation as competitive players in the construction industry.
As an organisation with sustainability at its heart, Agilité is dedicated to minimising environmental impact within the construction industry. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the sector, and how do you think we can rectify it?
Waste is definitely one of the major topics in our sector, as it can turn into a serious issue for every construction project. I would say the biggest challenge is trying to incorporate reusable elements while minimising waste. This can only be achieved if everyone involved in the construction process plays their part. Ultimately, it’s about each person — from designers to tradespeople — having a more sustainable attitude, while working together to reduce our environmental impact.
We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction and project management. Each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role. Next up, it’s assistant project manager, Kiran Kondrapu...
When reading the job specification, I noticed how many of the candidate’s ideal qualities — punctuality, accountability, willingness to learn — I possessed myself. I was further motivated to apply because of the high calibre of clients that Agilité works with. The likes of Fred Perry, Indeed.com, Lids have a reputation for superior standards — something I am keen to deliver on behalf of my new organisation.
I grew up, completed my bachelor’s degree, and began my career in India before commencing the next phase of my education in Northumbria, England. My background in civil engineering and project management means I have an eye for detail and thrive when overseeing a construction project from start to finish.
Beginning my journey with Agilité. I have always had an interest in the construction industry — as a young boy I loved assembling sandcastles and playing with building blocks. In my undergraduate degree, I achieved a distinction and the highest mark in my course — a record I still hold to this day! When I moved to UK, I decided to take a leap of faith and follow my passion — now here I am in my perfect role.
My job is mostly about planning and supervision — coordinating with stakeholders, clients, colleagues, and subcontractors to ensure targets, standards, and expectations are met throughout a project.
I am looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues and clients, building strong professional relationships, and doing my best.
This is a very hard question — someone with a high standards who presents challenge. But, if you’re asking me to choose just one, I would say Five Guys, because I’m extremely familiar with the organisation, which probably gives me a unique perspective in delivering the work.
In the evenings after work, I tend to have my head in a novel — a recent favourite was ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green. But I also love travelling, so when I have a little more time off, you’re unlikely to find me as I’m always on the move!
Paris, to see the Eiffel Tower. Working with Agilité, this may happen sooner than I’d anticipated!
I find that if you are accountable for something, it’s the biggest motivator of all.
My dream job.
I personally believe, the biggest challenge is the industry mindset. If we drilled down into the root causes, the thirst for profits at corporate levels can sometimes come at a cost, and one which ignores the wider environmental impact. The solution is simple, yet difficult to implement — focus more on purpose than bottom lines.
For this reason, I am proud to be a part of Agilité, as we are already making excellent headway in the sector — implementing changes to reducing carbon emissions and protect our planet for future generations.
careers@agilitesolutions.com
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