Doha Festival City Kiosk Design Criteri: Complete Guide | M2 Display

Doha Festival City Kiosk Design Criteria: Your Complete Compliance Guide

Ensuring your kiosk design meets the specific standards of a premier shopping destination like Doha Festival City is crucial for a smooth approval process and successful retail operation. This comprehensive guide details the official Kiosk Design Criteria, providing you with the essential knowledge to create a compliant, creative, and high-performing retail unit.

1. Design Philosophy

Doha Festival City aims to give tenants maximum design flexibility while maintaining a consistent, high-quality retail environment. The primary emphasis is on creativity, individuality, quality materials, and a strong retail image.

Key Design Principles:

• Your kiosk is your ‘vehicle’ for selling; use it to develop customer relationships.
• Engage a professional designerfor kiosk design, graphics, and branding.
• Create an open and inviting design by varying heights (max stand height is 1000mm).
• Use prominent, 3-dimensional illuminated signageon both sides.
• Activate all sides of the kiosk to encourage customer movement.
• Illuminate products effectively without dazzling staff or customers.
• Design for easy daily cleaning and maintenance.

2. Design Criteria

Size & Footprint

• Maximum total footprint:9 square meters.
• Typical Sizes:3m x 3m or 2m x 2m. Deviations require landlord approval.
• Nothing may extend past the designated leased area (includes tables, chairs, POS, signage).
• A 3m clear, unobstructed mall aislemust be maintained.

Kiosk Structure, Fixtures & Detailing

• Structure:Must be self-supporting and modular. No fixing to mall floor, wall, or ceiling.
• Fixtures:All equipment, POS systems, and cabling must be built-in and concealed.
• Closure:Lockable counter units are required. Fabric curtains/drapery are not permitted.
• Height:Must not block sightlines. No solid canopies. Signage pylon must not exceed 2100mm AFFL, with the bottom resting between 1500mm-1800mm. Max pylon width is 600mm.
• Counters/Showcases:

• Varying counter heights are encouraged. Max general counter height: 1000mm AFFL.
• Solid base on showcases: max 600mm AFFL.
• Storage must be concealed.
• Showcases must be internally lit and lockable.
• All glass cabinets must be framelesswith square edges and UV glue (no silicon).
  • Gate Access:Must be swing type, not swing into the mall, and be well-integrated into the design.
  • Flooring:
• Must conceal all cabling within a raised floor.
• Approved materials: Laminated MDF, engineered timber, stone.
• Ramped edging is requiredon all sides to prevent trip hazards.
• A toe-kick(75mm H, 50mm D) with warm white LED illumination over an acrylic diffuser and brushed stainless steel finish is mandatory.

Lighting

• Must be completely integrated and concealedwithin the kiosk joinery.
• Use diffusersto avoid “hotspots.” Colored lights are prohibited.
• General Lighting:Warm white, 3000K color temperature.
• Type:LED lighting is required.
• Not Permitted:Exposed fluorescent fittings, incandescent bulbs, or neon.

3. Signage, Branding & Graphics

Signage

• Primary signage must be on a signage pylon.
• Must be LED illuminated with 3-dimensional letters/logo(18-20mm projection).
• Max letter height:
• Not Permitted:Flush face light boxes, “flex face” signs, temporary signage, third-party ads, paper/cardboard, Styrofoam, stickers, or decals.
• Secondary Signage:Can be integrated into counter design on two sides max (80mm letter height).
• Arabic translationis required, subject to DED approval.

Branding/Graphics

• Subtle graphic applications behind glass are permitted, with concealed framing.
• Frameless magnetic systems are preferred.
• All content requires landlord approval.
• LCD monitorsare not encouraged and are subject to landlord discretion.

4. Pylon Signage Design

• Location is typically in the middle of the kiosk.
• Only creative designs will be accepted; standard designs will be rejected.
• Standard Dimensions:

• Height: 2100mm AFFL
• Width: 600mm Max
• Depth: 150mm Max
  • Pylon top must be properly finished.
  • Transparent pylons are preferred.
  • One pylon per kiosk is permitted (double-sided treatment).
  • Graphic patterns and niche/display treatments are recommended.

5. Kiosks Under Escalator

• A 600mm spacemust be left between the kiosk and the escalator wall.
• Typical Sizes:

• Single Escalator: 2m x 2m or 2m x 3m
• Double Escalator: 3m x 3m
  • Counters must use different levels, colors, and materials. Painted MDF is not acceptable.
  • Cove lighting must be added.
  • Cash counter and kiosk access must be placed at the back side, hidden from consumers.
  • Pylon design has two options, both requiring creative treatment and landlord approval.

6. Approved Materials & Finishes

Tenants must use upscale, durable, and high-quality materials. A sample board is required for submission.

Location	Approved Materials	Prohibited Materials
Counter Tops	Corian, natural stone (marble, granite), glass/back-painted glass	Plastic laminates, slatwall, mirror laminate, shingles, carpet, simulated materials, vinyl, glazed tiles
Counter Fronts	Corian, metal (stainless steel, powder-coated), natural stone, glass, solid wood, MDF in PU high-gloss finish
Interiors	Solid high-grade laminates, quality hardwood, metal (for structure only)
Flooring	Dark stained timber, high-quality vinyl (e.g., Amtico), natural/reconstituted stone tiles in neutral tones

7. MEP Guidelines

Electrical

• Supply from a 13-amp double socket floor box.
• All equipment, wiring, conduits, and cords must be completely concealed.
• Equipment must be UL listed.
• No cords across open mall floors.

Plumbing (for Food Tenants)

• All connections and piping must be concealed within the raised flooring.
• A waterproof membraneis required.

Mechanical

• Mall HVAC is typically sufficient. Odor-producing kiosks may require additional ventilation at the tenant’s expense.
• All required test certificates must be submitted before opening.

8. Submittal Requirements & Opening Process

Design Submissions

1. Preliminary Design Concept:

• 3D perspective sketch and color elevation
• Example merchandising plan
• Photo of previous kiosk (if applicable)
  2. Detailed Design Submission:
• Architectural drawings (plans, elevations, sections, material board, signage details)
• Electrical drawings (layout, load schedule)
• MEP drawings for Food Tenants
• All contractor and statutory compliance documentation.

Kiosk Opening Process & Timeline

The average process time from concept to trade is approximately 8 weeks.

1. Concept Development (2 weeks)
2. Design Submission & Review (1 week)
3. Design Approval (3 days)
4. Build/Off-Site Fabrication (4 weeks)
5. Overnight Installation & Opening

General Notes:

• Installation must occur in ONE nightafter trading hours.
• A fire extinguisheris mandatory for all kiosks.
• A POS systemis required; handwritten receipts are not permitted.

Need Expert Help Navigating Doha Festival City’s Kiosk Requirements?

M2 Display specializes in designing and building kiosks that are fully compliant with the stringent standards of premier malls like Doha Festival City. Our expertise ensures your design is both creative and compliant, speeding up the approval process and setting you up for success.

Contact M2 Display today for a consultation, and let us help you bring your brand to life in one of Qatar’s leading shopping destinations.