I really like that phrase “temple of enthusiasm” – it sounds a lot like what a museum should be. Nick de la Mare of Design Mind writes a thought-provoking look at Deus Ex Machina’s Temple of Enthusiasm in his article linked here. While Deus Ex Machina is a retailer, it seems to me that a lot of what they are doing has close parallels to the world of museums. They understand that they aren’t just selling things, in the way that museums need to understand that they aren’t just collecting and displaying old stuff.
While each element in the Cangu environment is distinctly different, inconsistent in outward appearance even, every element is ultimately tied back to a singular overarching experience. This cohesion over consistency strategy allows the environment to live, to sustain interest over time, and to evolve naturally. Ultimately the location offers a singular and unique experience…
I think it’s this focus on experience that separates great retailers from good ones, and by extension, great attractions, parks, museums, and even cities from the merely good.
(via twitter: @the99percent)
