CALPAK

As consumers increasingly seek meaningful, in-person brand experiences, digitally-native retailers are moving into physical spaces to deepen engagement. For CALPAK, a beloved online luggage brand, this shift meant translating its colorful, functional travel product ethos into its first brick-and-mortar store at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles. The design needed to express the spirit of travel within a compact 1,300-square-foot footprint — showcasing a broad product range, while establishing a flexible, scalable model for future rollouts.

Gensler partnered closely with CALPAK to create a retail environment inspired by air travel and global exploration. Handmade tile, faux leather, and artisanal plaster evoke a sense of destination, while an undulating entry wall with airplane window-inspired cutouts guides visitors inside. Custom “packing islands” anchor the space, offering flexible display and storage. A glowing “cloud” lightbox draws visitors toward the cash wrap and “baggage claim” display. FSC-certified wood, recycled materials, and locally manufactured components reinforce CALPAK’s commitment to sustainable design.

CALPAK’s first store redefines the luggage shopping experience as joyful and experiential — an invitation to wander, explore, and pack for adventure. The store brings the brand to life through a sensory, travel-inspired journey while maintaining its elevated, approachable aesthetic. The flexible kit-of-parts design supports ongoing experimentation, from product launches to pop-ups, establishing a scalable model for the brand’s future brick-and-mortar expansion.