ASSEMBLE by Réel Women
When Dynamic Angles Meet “Urban Fragments”
LOCATION
Shanghai, China
SIZE
480 sqm
DATE COMPLETED
2022
PHOTOGRAPHER
Dirk Weiblen
In 2022, Kokaistudios returned to Réel Mall in Shanghai’s central Jing’an district, where luxury designer multi-brand store ASSEMBLE by Réel has recently expanded to the location’s first floor. With an overarching theme of ‘urban fragments,’ the concept applies a minimalist approach to build on a preexisting design language of city motifs devised by the studio in 2018 for the retailer’s third floor menswear store. In this newly opened womenswear space, architectural elements spanning industrial to classical are offset by dynamic angles that create a clear directional flow, as well as materials including natural wood and glazed lava stone.
In 2022, Kokaistudios returned to Réel Mall in Shanghai’s central Jing’an district, where luxury designer multi-brand store ASSEMBLE by Réel has recently expanded to the location’s first floor. With an overarching theme of ‘urban fragments,’ the concept applies a minimalist approach to build on a preexisting design language of city motifs devised by the studio in 2018 for the retailer’s third floor menswear store. In this newly opened womenswear space, architectural elements spanning industrial to classical are offset by dynamic angles that create a clear directional flow, as well as materials including natural wood and glazed lava stone.
From the entrance inside the mall, shoppers encounter the first of four trapezoidal walls installed throughout the store and used to direct shoppers through the L-shaped space, as well as a device to reveal and conceal views, materials, and spaces beyond. Envisioned as a series of three distinct zones, the first features contemporary interpretations of classical architecture expressed through curved surfaces and fluid lines.
From the entrance inside the mall, shoppers encounter the first of four trapezoidal walls installed throughout the store and used to direct shoppers through the L-shaped space, as well as a device to reveal and conceal views, materials, and spaces beyond. Envisioned as a series of three distinct zones, the first features contemporary interpretations of classical architecture expressed through curved surfaces and fluid lines.
From here, shoppers are directed towards a second area: more urban in tone, its focal point is a floor-to-ceiling ‘accessories tower.’ Reminiscent of stacked windows, the vertical display structure presents jewelry on all three sides, with shelving for sunglasses in between, as well as integrated and angled mirrors. An adjacent and freestanding mirrored wall presents an unexpected view around a corner and into a space reserved for bags and shoes.
From here, shoppers are directed towards a second area: more urban in tone, its focal point is a floor-to-ceiling ‘accessories tower.’ Reminiscent of stacked windows, the vertical display structure presents jewelry on all three sides, with shelving for sunglasses in between, as well as integrated and angled mirrors. An adjacent and freestanding mirrored wall presents an unexpected view around a corner and into a space reserved for bags and shoes.
A floor-to-ceiling backdrop of large-size lava stone tiles defines and sets apart a dedicated area for shoes and bags. A preexisting column newly clad in anodized aluminum lends a palpably industrial feel to the area, as does an ‘I-beam’-shaped bench and display table. Made of glass, the objects’ ostensibly fragile material juxtaposes with their structural form which evokes durability and strength, while their deliberate transparency creates a floating effect.
A floor-to-ceiling backdrop of large-size lava stone tiles defines and sets apart a dedicated area for shoes and bags. A preexisting column newly clad in anodized aluminum lends a palpably industrial feel to the area, as does an ‘I-beam’-shaped bench and display table. Made of glass, the objects’ ostensibly fragile material juxtaposes with their structural form which evokes durability and strength, while their deliberate transparency creates a floating effect.
From outside, Kokaistudios’ dynamic lines and unexpected material choices come together to create an arresting facade. Interrupted by periodic claddings of anodized aluminium as well as the glass windows looking into the store, slabs of glazed lava stone traverse almost the entirety of the mall’s west side. In daylight, the material’s inherent textural and tonal variations become more pronounced, its color shifting from grey-green to aqua-blue depending on the time of day and weather.
From outside, Kokaistudios’ dynamic lines and unexpected material choices come together to create an arresting facade. Interrupted by periodic claddings of anodized aluminium as well as the glass windows looking into the store, slabs of glazed lava stone traverse almost the entirety of the mall’s west side. In daylight, the material’s inherent textural and tonal variations become more pronounced, its color shifting from grey-green to aqua-blue depending on the time of day and weather.
In 2022, Kokaistudios returned to Réel Mall in Shanghai’s central Jing’an district, where luxury designer multi-brand store ASSEMBLE by Réel has recently expanded to the location’s first floor. With an overarching theme of ‘urban fragments,’ the concept applies a minimalist approach to build on a preexisting design language of city motifs devised by the studio in 2018 for the retailer’s third floor menswear store. In this newly opened womenswear space, architectural elements spanning industrial to classical are offset by dynamic angles that create a clear directional flow, as well as materials including natural wood and glazed lava stone.
From the entrance inside the mall, shoppers encounter the first of four trapezoidal walls installed throughout the store and used to direct shoppers through the L-shaped space, as well as a device to reveal and conceal views, materials, and spaces beyond. Envisioned as a series of three distinct zones, the first features contemporary interpretations of classical architecture expressed through curved surfaces and fluid lines.
From here, shoppers are directed towards a second area: more urban in tone, its focal point is a floor-to-ceiling ‘accessories tower.’ Reminiscent of stacked windows, the vertical display structure presents jewelry on all three sides, with shelving for sunglasses in between, as well as integrated and angled mirrors. An adjacent and freestanding mirrored wall presents an unexpected view around a corner and into a space reserved for bags and shoes.
A floor-to-ceiling backdrop of large-size lava stone tiles defines and sets apart a dedicated area for shoes and bags. A preexisting column newly clad in anodized aluminum lends a palpably industrial feel to the area, as does an ‘I-beam’-shaped bench and display table. Made of glass, the objects’ ostensibly fragile material juxtaposes with their structural form which evokes durability and strength, while their deliberate transparency creates a floating effect.
From outside, Kokaistudios’ dynamic lines and unexpected material choices come together to create an arresting facade. Interrupted by periodic claddings of anodized aluminium as well as the glass windows looking into the store, slabs of glazed lava stone traverse almost the entirety of the mall’s west side. In daylight, the material’s inherent textural and tonal variations become more pronounced, its color shifting from grey-green to aqua-blue depending on the time of day and weather.
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