The MCI Experience Centre (MCI) is designed as a state-of-the-art retail & experiential space dedicated to showcasing the innovative use of marble and natural stones. Setting a new benchmark for the unique display of premium building materials, MCI has collaborated with the renowned WOW Architects of Singapore to conceptualise this flagship retail space. The Experience Centre is a 25,000 sq-ft lifestyle display that is spread across 2.5 acres in Bangalore. It enchants visitors with its bespoke edification and application of rare stones combined with eclectic interior design.
The Experience Centre’s layout is a masterclass in spatial and structural planning, seamlessly integrating distinct zones to offer visitors a unique experience. The exterior is thoughtfully designed with a Beige Travertine facade, blending modern design with robust construction. This material provides a unique aesthetic appeal and weather-resistant properties, making it ideal for any outdoor application. The perimeter of the Experience Centre is adorned with lush landscaping, featuring a variety of trees and flowering plants, enhancing the surroundings with vibrant greenery.
Upon entering the state-of-the-art facility, visitors are greeted at the reception area by a Blue Zamai Quartzite reception desk that conveys the solidity of its form and the sleekness of its design. Behind the desk, an elegant Diamond Fall Granite staircase in Lapatura finish stands out as a self-supporting structure that emerges from a small water feature. The floors and walls feature Statuario marble floors in a book-match pattern creating a cohesive aesthetic throughout the lobby. Every material selected for the facade, interior, and outdoor areas seamlessly integrates with other applications, highlighting the brand’s stunning selection of products that are truly hard to miss.
MCI stands as one of the largest retailers of fully imported marble, offering an impressive array of exquisite collections on display for customers to admire. The Experience Centre has three galleries, each showcasing natural stones sourced from exotic destinations around the globe. The ground floor features the marble sample area, the VIP lounge and the reception. As one ascends to the first floor, there are offices and a waiting area adorned with selective marble, furniture, and fittings. The second floor houses ten experience zones, each meticulously designed to showcase 81 practical and innovative applications of MCI’s products in real-life settings. The floor is segmented into different zones by floor-to-ceiling doors; however, when these doors are left open, the area transforms into a vast, uninterrupted expanse with distinct sub-sections, allowing people to walk the entire floor seamlessly. Each level’s sense of openness is bolstered by exceptionally high ceilings, enhancing the overall sense of expansiveness. All the floors feature lavish guest bathrooms and fully stocked pantries.
Each zone is accessorised with fine touches from all over the world, such as the latest edition coffee table books of leading architectural and interior design publications on tables and desks, and unique artwork and ornaments on the shelves, each carefully selected to enhance the overall aesthetic.
One of the most iconic features of the Experience Centre is the enormous multi-storey Statuario portal, aptly nicknamed ‘The Gateway to the World of Stone’. This portal serves as a grand entrance to the main gallery, symbolising the journey from experiencing these natural wonders in intricately curated applications and spaces to beholding them in their natural and unused state. Its imposing presence underscores the importance of stone in the Experience Centre’s design narrative.
Other notable elements include a standalone seminar room made from Swarovski White Marble emulating an ice cube, the media room with a VR setup that highlights other projects and features, the strategic eye-lid-shaped openings throughout the centre that allow a constant flow of natural light, and the coffee counter in the main gallery, crafted as an amalgamation of various natural stones, exemplifying the Experience Centre’s innovative approach to material usage. These features serve practical purposes and act as a focal point, showcasing the versatility and beauty of natural stone.
Apart from the unique applications of these natural stones, the Experience Centre has been advanced with cutting-edge technology, each serving a specific purpose. The fully automated lighting that enhances the beauty of each stone, centralised air conditioning, automated blinds and motion-sensored doors, managed by a central automation monitoring system, elevate the overall experience for the visitors.
Designed by award-winning Singapore designer Wong Chiu Man, the Experience Centre offers a spectacular display of over 600 varieties of fully finished marble and natural stones sourced from the best quarries in 42-plus countries.
The experience zones help patrons visualise and experience the practical applications of MCI products in everyday settings for the construction and real estate sectors. While the experience zones highlight realistic and relatable design ideas, the Experience Centre is accessible to industry professionals and regular consumers. By going beyond conventional stone applications, MCI seeks to inspire and inform with designs that resonate deeply with people, while enhancing aesthetics and structural integrity. MCI’s pursuit of excellence delivers exceptional real estate and construction solutions, positioning the Experience Centre as an inspirational and aspirational destination for builders and architects alike.
