Interior of Boston duty-free shopping area with stores like Chanel and Dior, featuring people walking and interacting. Displays of cosmetics and Grey Goose products are visible.
Interior of an upscale airport duty-free shop called Fragrance Garden, featuring decorative displays with perfumes and skincare products, a floral arch, and customers browsing.
Beauty boutique in a shopping mall with women browsing cosmetics from brands like Lancôme, Chanel, and Dior.
Cosmetics store in airport terminal with travelers and displays of beauty products including MAC, L'Occitane, and Drunk Elephant.

Project Overview

In 2023, Avolta, formerly known as Dufry, aimed to enhance its presence in North America by bidding for the duty-free concession at Boston Logan International Airport. To achieve this, they partnered with Inspired & Co for design development and Arteconi CGI for 3D visualization. The goal was to create a compelling visual representation of the proposed retail spaces that would resonate with stakeholders and decision-makers. Moodie Davitt Report

Design Challenges

The Boston Duty Free space presented unique challenges due to its open-plan layout, which limited the use of traditional wall and ceiling features. This openness required meticulous modeling of the entire airport context to ensure high fidelity to the project concept. The absence of enclosed spaces meant that every detail, from lighting to product placement, had to be accurately represented to convey the intended ambiance and functionality. LinkedIn

Our Approach

To address these challenges, Arteconi CGI developed a comprehensive 3D model of the entire duty-free area, not just the immediate camera views. This holistic modeling approach allowed for flexibility in adapting to design changes and incorporating additional requirements, such as 3D walkthrough animations and 360° virtual tours. By fully modeling the environment, we ensured seamless integration of various deliverables and maintained consistency throughout the project lifecycle. LinkedIn

Impact and Results

Our 3D visualizations were instrumental in communicating the design intent and operational flow of the proposed duty-free spaces. The detailed renderings and animations provided stakeholders with a clear understanding of the customer experience, product placement, and overall ambiance. This clarity contributed significantly to Avolta's successful bid, leading to their acquisition of the 12-year duty-free concession at Boston Logan International Airport. LinkedIn

Client Testimonials

Dorota Czernuszewicz, Founder and Partner at Inspired & Co, praised our work, stating:

“Incredible work Arteconi CGI! Thank you for your amazing skills and support - and here's to the next successful bid!”

This collaboration marked our first project with Inspired & Co, and it laid the foundation for future successful partnerships, including projects at JFK Terminal 6 and Terminal 8. LinkedIn

Conclusion

The Boston Duty Free project exemplifies the power of detailed 3D visualization in securing high-stakes contracts in the travel retail industry. Our ability to adapt to design challenges and deliver comprehensive visual solutions played a crucial role in Avolta's successful bid. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Inspired & Co and contributing to future projects that redefine the travel retail experience. LinkedIn

3D rendering of an airport duty-free shopping area with various retail kiosks and seating.
Interior of a luxury airport duty-free shop with several people browsing branded cosmetics and perfumes. Brightly lit with decorative lighting and flower arrangements.
Airport duty-free shopping area with people browsing various products, including food and beverages. Signs for "Taste of Boston" and "The Connoisseur Collection" are visible. Modern, well-lit environment with displays and shelving.
Airport duty-free shop interior featuring a 'Spirits of America' section with liquor displays; people browsing products.
Interior of an airport duty-free store called 'The Vineyard,' displaying wine bottles and spirits on shelves. People are browsing and talking. The store has modern design elements with a prominent overhead sign.