Theory Studies: Archetypical Retail Practices In Contemporary Interior Design
This thesis is written in contribution to the ongoing Intypes (Interior Archetypes) Research and Teaching Project, established at Cornell University in 1997. Intypes are derived from historical interior design practices that are reiterative and represent design ideals that span time, style and culture. This study identifies, classifies, and names archetypical interior design practices in professionally designed contemporary retail interiors. Intypes offer an interior design specific vocabulary for the analysis and criticism of the creative dimension of design. Prior to the Intypes Project, established archetypes had not formally been identified in interior design as in the architecture discipline. Associating names with interior archetypes provides a tool for the study and practice of interior design. Generating a body of knowledge and placing contemporary interior design practice within a historical context affords credibility to the profession. The methodology is one of typology, or classification. Images of retail interiors were gathered and sorted based on common design traits and potential archetypes were proposed to the greater research group. The strongest and most far reaching traits were deemed intypes, given intuitive names, and put forth for further examination. Retail is an important practice type to study through the lens of design typologies because of its societal and cultural impact. Shopping is a popular leisure activity, and stores, as semi public spaces, contribute significantly to the urban fabric and sense of place. Retail