Columbia Circle, Shanghai, China. Completed 2018
Fronting a piazza in the pedestrian ColumbiaCircle development (urban design by OMA), a large canopy is suspended from the former industrial building, suspended above wooden decking, carefully adorned with lounge chairs and large textured ceramic planters. The industrial façade is punched with a series of large vertical window frames, offering glimpses to the interior.
Upon entering one is immersed within a constellation of suspended translucent cylindrical lanterns and oblong wooden tables. The space is assembled from a natural material palate of organic cotton, light oak, matte ivory terracotta tile, deep raw steel, vernacular reclaimed brick, and unfinished concrete. Dark raw steel window frames and display spaces are embedded in the walls, piercing the pale terracotta tiles and concrete exterior facade.
As a series of spatial focal points, each suspended cylinder celebrates one category within the brand’s oeuvre, varying in scale and character, from a two meter diameter changing room to a seven meter diameter space with a central brick table.

Hung from a circular wooden ring, the arcing sheer curtain provides dual functions; a backdrop, foregrounding the hanging garments within, and a curtain to conceal visual clutter from without. The concrete floor plane is broken below by concentric rings of reclaimed brick, sometimes rising to generate a cylindrical table or low arcing display surface. The careful choreography between the reclaimed brickwork landscape below and ephemeral translucent lantern floating above produces a complementary tension and dialogue.
Beyond the largest enclosure is a generous oblong coffee bar and stools. The serrated wall circumscribing it is punched by a large dark metal frame housing café appliances. Just beyond lies a door to the rear patio and garden, a tranquil space for gathering and reflection around a large wooden table.
As one returns to the front door, one passes through a richly textured landscape of heterogeneous spaces,a constellation of product categories and lifestyle experiences that make up the brand.Fronting a piazza in the pedestrian ColumbiaCircle development (urban design by OMA), a large canopy is suspended from the former industrial building, suspended above wooden decking, carefully adorned with lounge chairs and large textured ceramic planters. The industrial façade is punched with a series of large vertical window frames, offering glimpses to the interior.
Upon entering one is immersed within a constellation of suspended translucent cylindrical lanterns and oblong wooden tables. The space is assembled from a natural material palate of organic cotton, light oak, matte ivory terracotta tile, deep raw steel, vernacular reclaimed brick, and unfinished concrete. Dark raw steel window frames and display spaces are embedded in the walls, piercing the pale terracotta tiles and concrete exterior facade.
As a series of spatial focal points, each suspended cylinder celebrates one category within the brand’s oeuvre, varying in scale and character, from a two meter diameter changing room to a seven meter diameter space with a central brick table.
Hung from a circular wooden ring, the arcing sheer curtain provides dual functions; a backdrop, foregrounding the hanging garments within, and a curtain to conceal visual clutter from without. The concrete floor plane is broken below by concentric rings of reclaimed brick, sometimes rising to generate a cylindrical table or low arcing display surface. The careful choreography between the reclaimed brickwork landscape below and ephemeral translucent lantern floating above produces a complementary tension and dialogue.
Beyond the largest enclosure is a generous oblong coffee bar and stools. The serrated wall circumscribing it is punched by a large dark metal frame housing café appliances. Just beyond lies a door to the rear patio and garden, a tranquil space for gathering and reflection around a large wooden table.
As one returns to the front door, one passes through a richly textured landscape of heterogeneous spaces,a constellation of product categories and lifestyle experiences that make up the brand.