Irena Tonnu

Repair and Re-Shop: An Experiential Approach to Second-Hand Retail

The rapid advancement of technology, coupled with the onset of the unprecedented 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating climate crisis, has significantly reshaped shopping experiences and consumer values. These changes have led to a rise in the popularity of online platforms and a decline in activity within physical stores. Additionally, there is also a growing interest in sustainable alternatives, such as second-hand markets, in response to anti-waste efforts. This shift in consumer values highlights the need to reconsider the role of physical second-hand stores to ensure their continued relevance in today’s digitally integrated retail landscape.

This Master of Interior Design practicum explores the potential of an experiential retail approach to second-hand stores. Specifically, it proposes a remodelling of the former Singer Sewing Machine Building at 424 Portage Ave in Winnipeg, Manitoba, by applying repair and reuse practices. The project utilizes research methodologies, including literary analysis, precedent study, site and building analysis, and a visual essay to inform the creation of an interior that caters to consumer desires for engaging experiences and values of sustainability. It draws from concepts including experiential retail, adaptive reuse, and branding to enhance users’ experience by providing opportunities to learn, interact, and share knowledge around the notion of circularity. Ultimately, this project shifts the focus from creating spaces just for transactional encounters to environments for recreational, educational, and sustainable activities to occur, thereby transforming the role of second-hand stores in the digital age.