For the hé Retail Store in Shenzhen, LubanEra·Design approaches retail as a spatial experience rather than a fixed program. The interior rejects rigid functional zoning in favor of an environment where movement, perception, and identity guide the visitor. Under the direction of Hongbo Chen, the project translates the brand’s feminine language into a spatial composition defined by openness, restraint, and gradual discovery.
FASHION RETAIL
The design frames space as a canvas for personal expression. Rather than assigning clear boundaries, the interior relies on softened transitions and shifting perspectives. Each turn becomes a subtle cue, shaping anticipation and guiding movement forward. This approach allows the space to unfold as a sequence, where circulation feels intuitive rather than prescribed.
Material choices anchor the atmosphere. Exposed concrete establishes a raw, grounded presence, while liquid stone made from petrified wood introduces a warmer geological texture. Their contrast defines the spatial tone without relying on ornament. At the center of the store, an elliptical island marks the starting point of the retail journey. Surrounding walls gently peel away from the original structure and curve inward, forming an enclosure that feels composed yet open.
Instead of pursuing a recognizable design style, Hongbo Chen focuses on translating the brand hé’s character into spatial language. Rooted in the concept of “contradictory symbiosis,” the interior balances tension and ease. Volumes appear reassembled rather than static, creating a spatial skeleton that feels dynamic and human in scale. The result is a retail environment that supports commerce while remaining emotionally accessible.
The entry sequence sets the tone. The facade curves inward, softening the boundary between exterior and interior while creating a moment of pause. A deliberately narrow entry compresses the field of view, offering only fragments of what lies beyond. Once inside, the space opens suddenly into a wider interior, where light and proportion shift the atmosphere and heighten spatial awareness.
Inside, two large circular zones organize the retail layout. Curved volumes trace arcs across the floor, acting as quiet anchors within the space. Their forms echo the ceiling geometry above, while subtle openings interrupt any sense of enclosure. This interplay creates a condition where elements feel distinct yet connected, reinforcing the idea of fluidity without disorder.
The building’s existing exhaust duct system becomes a defining feature rather than a limitation. Inspired by classical Chinese water features, geometric forms extend from the ductwork, combining rectangles and arcs in suspended arrangements. These elements descend rhythmically toward a central point, creating a sense of motion and suspended time. Circular light membranes and irregular limestone flooring reinforce this spatial rhythm, forming a strong visual focus.
Two large circular light canopies hover above the interior, adjustable in tone and brightness. Their presence introduces both calm and intensity, bathing the space in diffused light that softens material contrasts. Throughout the store, layered textures and handmade finishes add depth without distraction, encouraging slower engagement and close observation.
The hé Retail Store ultimately positions itself as a space of resonance rather than definition. Through material contrast, curved geometry, and controlled openness, LubanEra·Design creates an interior where fashion, identity, and spatial experience intersect with clarity and restraint.
