"SPA-DE", as a unique publication that focuses on the interior designs of commercial spaces from around the world, has garnered acclaim among specialists in this field. "SPA-DE" reports on cafes and restaurants, to boutiques and beauty salons, specialising in small-scale locations run by individuals. However this special edition, covers larger retail stores, shopping malls, department stores, and other commercial venues that would otherwise slip through. Larger facilities mean big-time clients, sizable design firms, and a wide range of specialists. In fact, there are more than a few projects which encompass not just one location, but a series of stores that share a basic design format.Furthermore, they often reach beyond architecture and interior design to incorporate product development, with a complex and strategic design plan necessary to handle store fixtures to environmental graphics, signage, packaging, VMD, and advertising. There are a limited number of firms in any country that can maintain a consistent level in the design while managing the development of a large-scale commercial facility. These firms travel the globe to various commercial locations to pursue their work.
From these design firms, fifteen companies have been selected that have produced commercially successful projects and interesting designs.