Designing Luxury: How Surveys Shape High-End Retail Spaces

Retail | Luxury | LiDAR & Reality Capture | Store Planning | Miami

Case Study: Roberto Cavalli Boutique – Bal Harbour Shops, Miami

In the heart of Bal Harbour Shops, Miami’s most iconic luxury retail destination, Roberto Cavalli unveiled a boutique that embodies more than fashion—it’s an architectural statement. Featuring a gold-framed entrance, sculptural interiors, and exotic finishes, the 2,130 sq. ft. two-level flagship redefines the brand’s U.S. presence. But before elegance took center stage, precision surveys and digital documentation laid the groundwork for success.

Precision Behind the Glamour

Long before opening day, DCMS partnered with Cavalli’s design team to deliver a multi-phase survey and modeling process that ensured every design decision was rooted in reliable data. From the upper-level sales floor to the service and mechanical zones below, every square foot was digitally captured to support construction, brand implementation, and interior design refinement.

Our engagement began in November 2021 with a detailed laser-measured survey and photo record. Deliverables included CAD and PDF floor plans, elevations, and reflected ceiling plans, all used to guide layout and fixture coordination.

By February 2024, DCMS returned for a large-scale LiDAR survey of the boutique and its retail context. Using the Leica RTC360, our team created a high-resolution point cloud and an LOD 300 Revit model, establishing a digital twin that accelerated decision-making and aligned concept with constructability.

Our Workflow: Empowering Creative Execution

• Multi-phase collaboration: Combined field surveys with advanced LiDAR scanning for a complete as-built reference.

• Dual-level modeling: Captured both sales and service areas to LOD 300, including architectural and MEP elements.

• Digital twin strategy: Delivered 360° model access for remote collaboration and visual walkthroughs.

  
  

More Than a Store, A Brand Experience

Designed by Claudio Pironi, the boutique at 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour, FL is Cavalli’s first U.S. opening after its global relaunch. The store combines green onyx, Burmese teak, layered lighting, and reflective textures to immerse visitors in a sensory retail journey.

Behind the polished design lies a critical truth: luxury experiences rely on accuracy. DCMS enabled Cavalli’s creative vision to meet construction feasibility, bridging imagination with execution.

Why It Matters: Store Planning at the Luxury Level

In luxury retail, store planning is brand strategy. Success requires a clear understanding of existing conditions—ceiling heights, HVAC layouts, slab penetrations, and service zones—before a single fixture is installed. With verified data, brands can prototype layouts, phase construction, and refine customer journeys with confidence.

At DCMS, we help global retail leaders recognize that experience begins with precision. Our surveys and digital twins don’t just measure spaces—they make ideas buildable, brands tangible, and designs unforgettable.