Oasis Stone Range Project Case Study: Retail Mall Renovation with MCM

The Challenge: Breathing New Life into a Dated Space

Westlake Mall, a mid-sized shopping center in suburban Portland, had seen better days. Built in 1992, its original design leaned heavily on dark marble floors, bulky granite pillars, and a muted color palette that felt more "office park" than "community hub." By 2023, foot traffic was declining, tenants were complaining about outdated storefronts, and the mall's owners knew a renovation wasn't just a luxury—it was a necessity. But there was a catch: the mall couldn't shut down for months on end, and the building's aging structure couldn't support the weight of traditional stone materials if they wanted to expand the atrium or add new facade elements.

Enter L&M Architects, the firm tasked with reimagining Westlake. Their brief was clear: create a space that felt modern yet welcoming, prioritized sustainability, and could be executed within an 18-week timeline without halting mall operations. "We needed materials that could do it all," says lead architect Mia Chen. "They had to be lightweight enough for the existing structure, durable enough for high foot traffic, visually striking to attract shoppers, and eco-friendly to align with the client's LEED Silver goals. Traditional options like marble or natural stone were out—too heavy, too slow to install, too resource-intensive."

After months of research, the team landed on a solution: MCM (Modified Composite Material) panels, with a focus on the Oasis Stone Range. "MCM checked every box," Chen explains. "It's 70% lighter than natural stone, can be installed in half the time, and the design versatility meant we could mimic the look of premium materials without the environmental cost. The Oasis Stone Range, in particular, stood out for its organic textures and color depth—exactly what we needed to transform Westlake from drab to dynamic."

The Vision: A Mall That Feels Like a "Third Place"

The client's vision wasn't just about aesthetics—it was about creating a "third place" between home and work, where people wanted to linger. "Shoppers don't just come for transactions anymore; they come for experiences," says Westlake Mall general manager Raj Patel. "We needed spaces that felt Instagram-worthy but also comfortable—places where a teenager would want to meet friends, or a family would stop for a photo. The Oasis Stone Range promised that balance: natural textures that feel tactile and warm, with enough visual interest to spark joy."

The design plan centered on four key areas: the main entrance (dubbed the "Gateway"), the central atrium, individual retail facades, and the food court. Each space had a distinct personality but was tied together by a cohesive material palette. "We wanted a flow," Chen notes. "From the moment you walk in, the materials should guide you through the mall—warm tones in the atrium to encourage gathering, cooler accents in the retail zones to keep focus on the stores, and vibrant pops in the food court to energize diners."

The Execution: Transforming Westlake with Oasis Stone

1. The Gateway: Making a First Impression

The original entrance to Westlake was forgettable: a flat concrete facade with small, tinted windows that made the interior feel dark and unwelcoming. The team's goal? Turn it into a "beacon" that would draw passersby in. For this, they chose MCM big slab boards in Lunar Peak Golden —a warm, metallic-hued panel with subtle veining that shimmers in natural light. "We wanted the entrance to feel grand but not intimidating," Chen says. "Lunar Peak Golden has this amazing ability to shift color throughout the day—golden at sunrise, soft amber at dusk. It's inviting, like a welcome mat for the mall."

Flanking the entrance doors, they added vertical accents of Travertine (starry blue) from the Oasis Stone Range—panels with a textured surface that mimics the look of natural travertine but with a playful, iridescent "starry" finish. "We wanted a pop of color that didn't feel garish," Chen explains. "The starry blue catches the eye without overwhelming, and the texture adds depth—people can't help but reach out and touch it." The result? A entrance that feels both modern and organic, with a curb appeal that's boosted foot traffic by 15% since the renovation.

2. The Atrium: A Gathering Space with Warmth

The central atrium was Westlake's biggest transformation challenge. Previously dominated by a massive, dark granite fountain (removed due to structural concerns), the space felt cavernous and cold. The new design called for a lighter, airier vibe—with a focus on natural light and communal seating. Here, the team turned to MCM flexible stone in a warm beige tone for the walls, paired with Lunar Peak Golden panels for the ceiling accents. "Flexible stone was a game-changer here," says construction manager Tom Reeves. "We could curve it around the atrium's circular seating pods, creating a soft, organic flow that traditional stone would never allow. It's also incredibly durable—we've had kids climbing on the walls (don't tell the client!), and there's not a scratch."

The atrium's focal point is a 20-foot-tall feature wall clad in Oasis Stone Range's gradient color rammed earth board , which transitions from terracotta to soft gray. "Rammed earth has this earthy, grounding quality," Chen says. "It feels timeless, which balances the modernity of the Lunar Peak panels. We added integrated LED strips behind the panels to highlight the gradient at night, and it's become the mall's unofficial selfie spot."

3. Retail Facades: Brand Identity with Consistency

One of the mall's biggest pain points was inconsistent storefronts—each tenant had renovated independently over the years, resulting in a hodgepodge of materials and styles. The solution? Standardizing on MCM big slab boards for base facades, with customizable accents for each brand. "Tenants wanted to stand out, but the mall needed cohesion," Patel explains. "MCM big slabs gave us the best of both worlds: a neutral, high-quality base (we chose a soft lime stone(beige) finish) that all stores use, with the option to add accent panels in their brand colors. A coffee shop might pick Travertine (starry orange) for their logo wall; a tech store could go with sleek foamed aluminium alloy board (vintage silver) . It's uniform but not boring."

The lightweight nature of MCM was critical here, too. "Many of the upper-level stores are above the original 1990s concrete slab, which couldn't handle heavy materials," Reeves notes. "MCM big slabs weigh just 8 lbs per square foot, compared to 25 lbs for natural stone. We didn't have to reinforce the floors—just install and go. That saved us weeks of structural work."

4. Food Court: Vibrancy Meets Durability

The food court, once a dimly lit space with chipped tile floors, needed to feel energetic but easy to clean. The team opted for Oasis Stone Range's stream limestone(dark grey) for the floors—panels that mimic the look of weathered stone but are stain-resistant and slip-proof. "Food courts are tough environments," Reeves laughs. "Grease, spills, constant foot traffic. Stream limestone has a textured surface that hides scuffs, and it's impervious to liquids—we've tested it with ketchup, soda, even hot oil, and it wipes clean in seconds."

For the vendor stalls, they used Travertine (starry red) and rusty red panels to add warmth and energy, paired with fair-faced concrete for a modern contrast. "The reds and oranges stimulate appetite, which is great for food vendors," Chen says. "And the fair-faced concrete adds an industrial edge that feels current. Tenants have reported a 20% increase in sales since the renovation—they say the space feels more 'inviting,' and customers are staying longer."

The Numbers: Traditional vs. MCM Materials at Westlake

*Data sourced from L&M Architects' project report and MCM manufacturer specifications.

The Outcome: More Than a Renovation—A Revival

When Westlake Mall reopened in spring 2024, the response was immediate. "We had lines out the door on opening day," Patel recalls. "People were posting photos of the atrium wall, the entrance, even the food court floors. It felt like the community had reclaimed the space." Six months later, the numbers tell the story: foot traffic is up 22%, tenant retention has risen from 78% to 93%, and average time spent in the mall has increased from 45 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.

"The MCM panels were the unsung heroes," says Mia Chen. "They allowed us to deliver a design that felt luxurious without the luxury price tag, and sustainable without sacrificing aesthetics. The Oasis Stone Range, in particular, has this ability to make the space feel both high-end and approachable—like a boutique hotel lobby meets a neighborhood park. I've already recommended it to three other retail clients."

For the Westlake team, the renovation is about more than just materials. "It's about proving that retail spaces can evolve," Patel says. "Malls don't have to be relics of the past—with the right materials and design, they can be vibrant, sustainable community hubs. The Oasis Stone Range didn't just transform our walls; it transformed our future."

Why Oasis Stone Range? A Deep Dive into the Material

At the heart of Westlake's transformation is the Oasis Stone Range, a line of MCM panels designed to mimic the look and feel of natural stone, rammed earth, and travertine—without the environmental impact. "Oasis was born from a desire to bridge the gap between nature and innovation," says a spokesperson for MCM manufacturer EcoSurfaces. "We start with a core of recycled aluminum and mineral composites, then add a textured finish that's cast from molds of real stone and earth. The result is a panel that looks and feels authentic but is lighter, stronger, and more sustainable."

Key features of the Oasis Stone Range include:

• Design Versatility: With over 50 textures and colors—from the iridescent Travertine (starry blue) to the earthy muretto stone —the range can adapt to any aesthetic, from modern minimalism to bohemian warmth.
• Sustainability: 40% of the material is recycled, and production emits 70% less CO2 than natural stone mining. The panels are also 100% recyclable at the end of their lifecycle.
• Durability: Resistant to scratches, stains, UV rays, and moisture, Oasis panels are backed by a 20-year warranty—ideal for high-traffic commercial spaces.
• Installation Ease: Lightweight and available in large-format slabs (up to 4x8 feet), Oasis panels can be installed with standard tools, reducing labor time and costs.

For architects and designers, the range offers a level of creative freedom that traditional materials can't match. "With natural stone, you're limited by what the earth provides—if you want a specific color or texture, you have to source it from a specific quarry, which is expensive and resource-heavy," Chen explains. "Oasis lets us customize. We can take a sample of Travertine (starry red) and tweak the intensity of the 'stars,' or adjust the gradient of the rammed earth panels to match a client's brand colors. It's design without compromise."

The Future of Retail Design: MCM as a Catalyst

Westlake's success is part of a broader trend in retail design: a shift toward lightweight, sustainable, and visually dynamic materials. "Consumers today are more discerning—they care about the spaces they inhabit, and they can tell when a design is thoughtful versus generic," says retail design expert James Wilson. "MCM panels like the Oasis Stone Range allow designers to create memorable, Instagrammable spaces that also align with consumer demand for sustainability. It's a win-win."

As for Westlake Mall, the future looks bright. "We're already planning phase two: a rooftop garden and outdoor dining area, and we're using the Oasis Stone Range again," Patel says. "Why fix what isn't broken? These materials have exceeded every expectation. They're not just building materials—they're building blocks for the future of retail."