XYDROBE

‘The Exceptional Voyage’ – A Harrods and Vacheron Constantin Multisensory VR Experience.

Sybarite worked with xydrobe as their architectural partners to realise the first multi-person VR experience for luxury retail in the iconic Harrods department store in collaboration with Vacheron Constantin.

‘The Exceptional Voyage’ is a ground-breaking immersive experience created to explore the recognisable Harrods DNA through the lens of Vacheron Constantin, brought to life via xydrobe’s state-of-the-art 4D storytelling technology. The collaboration is the first in a curated line up of brand experiences xydrobe will host at Harrods, poised to redefine immersive experiences within luxury retail as we know it. Custom-produced by xydrobe “The Exceptional Voyage” is a playful nod to this ethos, the multisensory immersive experience takes each guest on a dream-like adventure.

xydrobe at Harrods is a pioneering multisensory destination designed by Sybarite, featuring a first-of-its-kind virtual reality cinema that seats up to 20 guests, and an adjacent 50 sqm lounge that brands can customise. The cinema’s cutting-edge 4D technology includes breathtaking visuals shown through the highest-grade Varjo VR headsets, wind and temperature brought to life as tactile sensations, immersive surround sound and scents, providing the world’s most coveted luxury brands with an unprecedented platform in which to story tell.

The overarching concept for the space is deeply rooted in the original design tenets of the xydrobe single pod experience and its innate curvature. In continuance, Sybarite have purposefully used the circular form at key moments, in the arrival façade as well as the entry portal for the VR experience.

The cinema is designed as a cocooning tunnel structure that marshals the ‘voyagers’ in through a directional light path. Once inside, the customer is fully immersed in the depths of darkness with only the select linearity of the lighting design to intuitively guide the experience. The ceiling takes on a belly form to conceal the VR tech and to enhance acoustics, and at the same time reiterating the importance of curvature within the design as part of the architectural vocabulary. Mirrored black Barrisol has been applied to the ceiling for its optical clarity. Seats are finished with rounded headrests.

The cinema environment was about creating a place of solace, reflection and relaxation, of comfort and disconnect, hence the tightly edited palette of material, colour and form. Essentially, this a seamless, pure, blank canvas and a static and grounded environment to experience the exceptional through the xydrobe 4D storytelling technology. All technology and enhancements are impeccably hidden within the design.

This is the third cinema that Sybarite have designed and the smallest and most personalised.

Harrods is the first international retail partner to receive a xydrobe experience in store. xydrobe is a story about retail strategy, made possible through this entrepreneurial relationship formed between xydrobe and Sybarite, and realised with Harrods and Vacheron Constantin.

xydrobe is set to open further immersive destinations, designed in collaboration with Sybarite, with other luxury retailers worldwide.

“Luxury storytelling and immersive hybrid retail is at the heart of Sybarite. We have always looked to blur the boundaries in retail and redefine the retail experience. The xydrobe experience at Harrods presented a unique and masterful opportunity for this. What was born as a single pod experience was transformed by xydrobe and Sybarite for Harrods into a fully customised and continually customisable multi-person arrival and VR experience. The Exceptional Voyage is a key moment in retail strategy. Together, we conceived this one-of-a-kind proposal for the VR Cinema design to heighten and connect the senses and to create the ultimate platform for the multi-dimensional sensory journey that takes you to the brink of imagination”. – Simon Mitchell, Co-Founder, Sybarite Architects

Please book your tickets here