HANG XIA's Harmonious Design Language: Balancing Tradition and Modernity
The latest retail space from SHANG XIA, designed by SAY Architects, epitomizes a distinctive and culturally rich lifestyle through innovative contemporary design. The store is designed as a two-tiered space that combines openness and concealment, simplicity and complexity, restraint and expression. This duality is reflected in a 'symmetrical' space, a design concept where the central axis provides controlled structure while allowing for a sense of freedom. This design choice hints at the space's inherent contradictions and balance, creating a unique and harmonious environment.
The two floors are connected by large bamboo weavings that enclose the central axis, joining the store's two levels. The ground floor has an understated elegance inspired by Eastern literati aesthetics. The tea area provides a peaceful retreat, while the gift section features carefully selected items showcasing refined craftsmanship. With its gentle and unassuming presence, the apparel zone reflects the brand's unwavering dedication to subtlety, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance. Every element, from bamboo and jade to silks and satins, incorporates an Oriental sensibility intricately woven into the fabric of the space.
As you ascend the escalator, you'll notice the beautiful double-layered bamboo enclosure that creates a sense of movement and calmness. This represents SHANG XIA's unwavering commitment to achieving balance, combining contrasting elements into a harmonious whole. On the second floor, which serves as a furniture showroom, Xuan paper is used extensively as decoration to emphasize a minimalist approach, allowing the products' beauty and texture to stand out.
The modern space seamlessly integrates traditional craftsmanship, often considered a cultural heritage, through innovative techniques. The artisanal methods employed in the design use raw materials that significantly reduce environmental impact, showcasing SHANG XIA's unwavering dedication to sustainability. The brand's vision extends beyond material sustainability, aspiring to amplify the sustainability of traditional culture itself. SHANG XIA offers a contemporary reinterpretation of heritage crafts within modern contexts, ensuring the preservation and evolution of intangible cultural heritage. This contributes to a significant cultural export of Chinese traditions.
In this dialogue between the past and present, SHANG XIA seeks to express a romantic balance — where tradition meets innovation in a minimalist and refined simplicity. It embodies timeless elegance transcending eras.
HANG XIA Shenzhen Bay Rail In Boutique
Client: SHANG XIA
Status: Completed
Year: 2023
Area: 550 sqm
Address: Rui Yin, Shenzhen Bay
Project Type: Commercial Space
Design Company: say architects
Lead Designers: Zhang Yan, Shan Jianan
Team: Fan Yawen (Project Manager), He Siyun, Ye Jin, Deng Qing, Zhang Yixuan
Construction Drawings: Jin Tiejun, Hang Sheng
Photography: Wen Studio
Construction Team: Shanghai Lizhou Space Design Engineering Co., Ltd.
Lighting:YAANK lighting design、Hangzhou Light Track Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
For more information, please visit: www.sayarchitects.cn