Gold Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2023
Burton Chengdu Retail
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: SA and BOO Studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 31,375
- Verification code 498DB9F916 · Verify this award
About Burton Chengdu Retail
The stimulating and creating moments are happening every now and then the illustration artist from the team has drawn a set of comic like illustration to translate the user guide of snow gears and the brand history development, researching the brand history and social networks in China to make the store a landmark and photographable is another challenge, the design team works hard on combining the traditional Chinese wood construction structure with modern architectural structure and bring back the memory of the brand history in this conflicting space is the final goal.
Lisa Liu's Burton Chengdu Retail represents a distinguished achievement in contemporary experiential retail design, where the conventional boundaries between commercial space and immersive environment dissolve into a cohesive narrative celebrating alpine culture and artisanal craftsmanship. The installation demonstrates remarkable sophistication in its orchestration of material contrasts, positioning raw timber construction traditions against sleek contemporary surfaces in a dialogue that honors heritage while embracing innovation. The central ceiling feature, with its organic aperture form reminiscent of ice formations or cloud breaks revealing mountain sky, establishes an architectural focal point that transforms utilitarian retail lighting into poetic spatial experience. The designer appears to draw upon phenomenological approaches to retail architecture, wherein the visitor's journey through the space becomes as significant as the merchandise encounter itself. Particularly noteworthy is the integration of a workshop-style central zone, its warm wooden enclosure suggesting both the craftsman's studio and the mountain refuge, creating an emotional anchor point within the larger commercial envelope. The chromatic strategy demonstrates sophisticated understanding of temperature psychology, with cool blues and greys establishing the wilderness atmosphere while warm amber tones emanating from the wooden structure offer invitation and comfort. Digital elements are introduced with restraint and imagination, their cloud-shaped screens suggesting rather than declaring the alpine context. The spatial sequencing from entry through display zones toward the intimate workshop space follows classical retail design principles while infusing them with narrative purpose. This work invites contemplation of how commercial architecture might transcend transactional function to create meaningful place, encouraging visitors to consider how their experience of space shapes their relationship to the activities and communities that retail environments represent.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The design is inspired by the nature, narrating the theme of a snowy and a sustainable future, and striving to shape Burton Chengdu flagship store into a carrier of One city Two world, The design shall meet both retail need and space itself, meanwhile strengthening the shopping experience of visitors and unique memory therefore establish a stronger relationship between the brand and customers and pass the brand spirit of Burton, passion and sustainability
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The interior area is 265 sqm, the facade area is about 210 sqm.
- Tags
- Snowboarding, Sustainable, Recycled, Commercial, Retails, Flagship, Fashion, Chinese, Installation, Sports
- Production Technology
- We cared about the environmental issues, the facade we used wasted snow gears and construction materials, Since Jake Burton, the founder of Burton and the promoter of snowboarding, made snowboards in his workshop, team recreates his workshop by combining Chinese traditional mortise tenon structure with modern industrial material, Wood and metal build the skeleton of workshop, implying interactions between nature and industry, tradition and innovation, as well as past and future
- Design Challenge
- The challenge is to translate the heritage and development of this unique brand, since it's not as common as other fashion retail. We work on the props to better fit the snow gear products, as well as differentiate the brand from another sports brand. Another outcome of the research, is the combination of eastern and western architect styles.
- Project Duration
- The project started in May 2022 in Chengdu, China, and finished in December 2022, and now in In99 Shopping mall in Chengdu
- Operation Flow
- The design team collected the wasted construction wastes from last retail store moved away, and ask Burton for their used snow gears or wasted products, Then we send to the factory to crumble them into ashes, however the color turns out to be not so idea since the product is colorful, Therefore, we add more wasted materials into the crumbled ashes, Then we adhesive the ashes together with the help of the factory workers, The final challenge for the sustainable facade material is waterproof test, the team tried several different media, eventually we let some micro spaces open on surfaces therefore it absorbs the water fast
- Research
- The research focused on three main perspectives, first of all, the snowboarding sports itself, and then, the founder of this brand, who significantly influenced the whole industry. The third perspective is about the local elements. For the first perspective, since it is a flagship retail, understanding the market is essential. Also, winter sports is a growing industry in China, which requires more understandings of the connection between the products and this sports. On the other hand, the founder of this brand has very significant influences to this sports, to get a better view of his own experiences will help design.Background research is basically based on the brand's official site. Thirdly, Chengdu is the center of west south area in China, which is a very big market for the brand, so to better embed the local elements in the design is another concern. The methods of research contain internet resources, interviewing the staff, newspaper back in time. After all the research, how to translate the information visually is main concern. Therefore, except for the datas and words collected from resources, the design team created a set of illustration which could be used in design, and be seen by customers, therefore, get a better understanding of the brand and the design.
- Inspiration
- Elements of snowboarding are translated into materials and imagery for the viewers to read the brand message of Burton, People, Planet, Sports, is conveyed through the texture, Snowboarding gradually becomes popular while also causing environmental issues, In this case, uses of wasted construction materials from the last merchant and damaged gears supplied by Burton, By decomposing, mixing and reusing, eventually turned out to be the facade, We are committed to build an iconic landmark in the city
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Liu Wei
Image #2: Photographer Liu Wei
Image #3: Photographer Liu Wei
Image #4: Photographer Liu Wei
Image #5: Photographer Liu Wei
Video Credits: YinTai Group, IN99 Chengdu
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