dongqi Design transforms ‘lost in echo’ retail space
dongqi Design has reimagined the ground floor of a historic building on Anfu Road in Shanghai, transforming it into a flexible, dynamic environment for the brand “lost in echo.” The design solution focuses on minimizing the impact of the existing columns, incorporating rotatable triangular prisms to shape and define the space freely.
These prisms, divided into three vertical sections, emphasize proportion and functionality. The middle section, positioned at eye level, extends into mechanical arms of varying lengths, offering rotational flexibility that allows the space to adapt to different needs and scenarios.
From a top view, the arms of the prisms can rotate to any angle, creating a range of spatial configurations. This versatility enables the space to shift between an open, fluid arrangement and a more structured, rectangular layout, cultivating an environment that embodies diversity and novelty.
The movement of these prisms not only influences the space itself but also guides the flow of people, continuously altering the interior relationships between different areas. This interplay between fragmentation and continuity challenges traditional notions of spatial design.
The design emphasizes material contrast, with the top and bottom sections of the prisms featuring smooth, reflective surfaces, while the middle section has a textured finish. When in motion, these materials create an illusion of floating arms, reinforcing the ethereal “lost” theme central to the brand. Additionally, folding doors have been designed with a similar three-part division.
The top and bottom sections, made of mirrored stainless steel, reflect the surrounding street scene, while the middle glass portion draws attention inward. This combination creates a striking visual interplay between the exterior and interior spaces, with reflections of urban life merging with glimpses of the store’s interior.
dongqi has also developed customizable merchandising supports that can be easily hooked into the horizontal slots on the rotating prisms. This adaptable system enhances merchandising displays and can be modified as needed, whether for retail, exhibitions, or events.
The surrounding side walls echo the design language of the prisms, with soft curves and fillet corners that create a calm, light atmosphere. A hidden hanging rail behind the walls contributes to the minimalist aesthetic, making hanging displays appear to float.
The material palette throughout the space remains consistent, primarily gray, but with subtle variations in texture through handcrafted finishes. The brand’s signature purple is featured prominently at the all-glass cashier counter, providing a bold contrast to the subdued gray tones.
In the fitting rooms, a mirror-covered space between them enhances the customer experience, offering an immersive environment of endless reflections and movement. This space visually embodies the essence of the brand’s name, evoking the sensation of being “lost in echo” through its innovative design.
This expertly designed space by dongqi Design encapsulates the brand’s identity while offering a versatile, dynamic environment that serves multiple functions, from retail to public events. The use of rotatable prisms, reflective materials, and flexible merchandising systems creates an ever-changing, engaging experience for visitors, blending function and artistry in a cohesive and innovative manner.
- Architecture, Interior, fixture design: dongqi Design
- Design Director: JIANG Nan
- Project Designer: Huiyi Wu
- Team: Danyi Zhang, Mingzhu Shen, Chloe Wang
- Project Management & General Contractor: TAI Architecture & Decoration
- Photography: Victor Marvillet
