Refining Elegance Through Precision, Collaboration, and Clarity
When it comes to luxury, every detail counts. For the Al Fardan Jewellery’s boutique at Yas Mall, the ambition was simple yet ambitious. The task was to create a boutique reflecting refinement, clarity, and confidence. Here is how we achieved this.
Project Snapshot
Al Fardan Jewellery
Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Turnkey Design & Fit-Out
Concept Design, Joinery, Lighting, Steel Fabrication, Shopfront Engineering
60 Days
2024
Getting Started: Site Survey & Program
Great projects are predicated on an understanding—not just of the physical parameters of the space, but the beating heart of the brand.
We began with a thorough site survey: measuring, photography, and mappings of the boutique's existing shell within the mall.
In parallel to this, we were holding a series of in-depth meetings with Al Fardan's brand, retail, and operations teams for us to align on aesthetic ambitions and practical realities.
The ambition was high: a seamless curved shopfront with floating glass vitrines, a secured yet inviting central display hub, and lighting to highlight the jewels without outshining them.
All of this was set to be delivered—from concept to completion—in just 60 days.
This phase was critically important. It established the groundwork and made certain our project team was on top of every technical, commercial, and design issue superbly.
Shaping the Vision: Schematic Design
- Operating within a defined site grid, we knew the design had to be a perfect marriage of technical limitations with visual beauty.
- To be clear, traditional square or boxy showcases were not an option, we opted for fully curved, free-standing counters fitted with integrated lighting and smooth cladding.
- The shopfront became a gallery style façade with floating glass vitrines, flying on an inconspicuous steel frame.
- Collaboration was also important: we worked with structural engineers and mall authorities, as well as security consultants to ensure the design was beautiful, as well as workable.
- The balance between vision and practicality was at the forefront for every step.
Bringing Details to Life: Design Development
- This is where the magic meets the millimetre.
- We built and reviewed joinery samples, focusing on perfect edge curves, velvet-lined compartments, and brushed metallic inlays.
- Lighting was trialled on-site to get the exact colour temperature and beam angle — every gem needed to sparkle without harsh reflections.
- Materials were chosen with care — from champagne gold accents and soft beige laminates to premium stone flooring — tested through full-scale mockups.
- Several shopfront design iterations tested panel depth, lighting interplay, and transparency, hunting for the perfect balance between brand storytelling and structural integrity.
- Spatial flow was carefully crafted, guiding customers naturally through intimate touchpoints without clutter or confusion.
- Our design and production teams worked seamlessly together, ensuring no detail was left to chance.
Precision Planning: Construction Documents
- In a time-sensitive undertaking like this, there was no room for example technical documentation.
- We delivered joinery packages, steel fabrication drawings, and lighting integration drawings with detail.
- Exploded views and cross-sections perfectly coordinated hidden pathways for LED lighting.
- We designed access and crown moulding details to maintain the look while still providing maintenance access.
- The phased drawings allowed procurement and fabrication to work simultaneously to the scheduling of work on site.
- This proactive approach avoided 'surprises' throughout the project and kept the schedule on track.
On-Site Excellence: Construction Oversight
- From day one, our project team was hands-on at the site, coordinating joinery, cladding, MEP, and mall authorities.
- The floating shopfront cladding was a standout challenge, demanding a flawless finish that balanced luxury with restraint.
- Multiple material tests were done—brushed metals, laser-cut panels, composites—each reviewed under showroom lighting to nail the perfect tone and texture.
- Despite the pressure of the deadline, we insisted on perfection, developing a custom cladding profile unique to this boutique.
- The client’s praise for the final result’s technical precision and elegant aesthetic was the ultimate reward.
The Final Reveal: Project Completion
- In just 60 days, the Al Fardan Yas Mall boutique went from concept to a stunning reality.
- The space feels seamless—calm yet confident.
- Central display counters act as sculptural anchors.
- Floating glass vitrines frame the boutique like a high-end gallery.
- Lighting accentuates without competing.
- Every material choice, every curve, every shadow line was intentional, creating a boutique that’s both inviting and enduring.
Why This Project Matters
For us, success is about execution—and this project pushed all teams to their best.
It showcased what fast-tracked, integrated retail fit-out can really achieve.
The client summed it up perfectly: “The space feels exactly as we envisioned—simple, rich, and complete.”
At Southern, bringing ideas to life with precision, pace, and pride is what drives us. And with Al Fardan, we did just that.