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Complex electrical systems were designed to power state-of-the-art lighting, audiovisual, IT and fire alarm systems. It is hard to believe there are 60 different lighting types with varying voltages.

The customer never need know that all lighting complies with California Title 24 lighting requirements. There are dimming panels and emergency lighting power supplies in case of power outage.

A mechanical room stretches almost the full length of the basement, housing the water source heat pumps. RFID tags (radio frequency identification tags) are said to be a future feature coming to the Beverly Hills Prada store.

The technology that runs this tight Prada ship is made invisible to the customer. The customer can float through the store enjoying the benefits of technology while only thoughts of the fun of Prada fashion sweep them along on their shopping journey.

Flagship Store

This store takes the term flagship store to a new level along with its counterpart Prada Epicenter Stores in New York and Tokyo.

In the Beverly Hills Prada Epicenter one doesn’t feel the hustle bustle of many fashion houses. The environment has a calming effect. It is a sleek shopping experience.

Whether a fashion impression is to be gleaned from the subterranean display mannequins by customers will remain to be seen. They reminded of visits to the old time Marine Land; perhaps one day they will become aquariums for exotic fish.

This is where the flat panel video screens seem to come into play, having the advantage of being able to present a myriad of fashion images while also bringing the outside world into the shopping experience.

Architect Deborah Richmond, a partner at the Touraine + Richmond Architects, sums up the Prada Los Angeles Epicenter succinctly.

“Prada LA demonstrates a superb integration of architectural, structural and material concepts, thanks to a long tradition of collaboration between OMA/Arup. It is also typical of OMA’s work in its attempt to understand and interpret not just the needs of is retail client but the larger complications of the Prada brand and even larger implication of luxury retail in a society of consumption.”

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