The ARC’TERYX flagship store in Beijing, designed by Still Young, pays tribute to the cultural context of Vancouver, the brand’s home city, within the contemporary panorama of retail design.
Recreating a natural mountain atmosphere, where visitors can engage with the imagery of the wilderness and experience a sense of balance connected to time spent outdoors, is one of the aims behind this 885-square-meter store opened by the Canadian premium outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx in the Sanlitun commercial district of Beijing.
A concept that integrates the brand’s defining elements
The flagship store designed by Still Young interprets the key elements of ARC’TERYX’s identity through a spatial experience that refers back to the origins of the brand. The project draws inspiration from a reinterpretation of the theme of trees created by local artists, transformed into the guiding thread of the design and integrated into the overall set of the brand’s distinctive signs.
Set within an L-shaped site, the store features a façade composed of grey rocks embedded into the window displays. This choice creates a strong visual impact and recalls the image of the mountain, in keeping with the brand’s identity. The façade is completed by an illuminated sign featuring the brand’s skeletal symbol and by a grid canopy extending toward the street, reinforcing the relationship between the retail space and the urban context.
The space seeks a harmonious connection between the human dimension and nature, interpreting the spirit of outdoor life through a composition with an artistic character. In one corner of the store, the root of a large tree rises vertically along the glazed façade, merging with the interior environment.
Sustainable materials in the ARC’TERYX Flagship Store
The project also emphasizes the use of sustainable materials. On a suspended platform, the design team introduces an artistic installation featuring a two-meter-high pine cone made from recycled panels. This element interacts with the large tree root extending upward, contributing to the construction of the interior atmosphere.
Overall, the space establishes a relationship between the language of outdoor life and a more technical dimension, highlighting the brand’s research-driven approach and its product expertise.
The flagship store is organized across two levels. The ground floor is dedicated to professional activities such as rock climbing and hiking, with environments inspired by mountain and forest landscapes. The upper level focuses on urban lifestyle products, including Collection 24 and the Veilance line, where a cave-like installation defines the space.
Low tables made from tree trunks and upholstered sofas contribute to a welcoming environment designed for permanence and interaction, where the ARC’TERYX universe is conveyed through a spatial narrative.
Credits
Location: Beijing, China
Area: 885 sqm
Design firm: STILL YOUNG
Design team: Eric. Ch, Dawn Du, Dada Zhao
Photos courtesy: Yuuuun Studio
by AN Shopfitting Magazine no.179 ©