UNStudio unveils Huawei flagship store in Shanghai with “petal-like” facade

by : Kate Donaldson

Dutch firm UNStudio has revealed a two-storey flagship store for Chinese technology company Huawei in Shanghai with a facade clad in ivory-coloured petal-like forms.

Drawing from Huawei’s global operating system, named Harmony, UNStudio‘s design aimed to generate biophilic associations between the brand and its technology by integrating organic geometric shapes throughout the scheme.

Facade of UNStudio Huawei flagship store in Shanghai — *UNStudio has completed the Huawei flagship store in Shanghai with a petal-like facade*

“The new store reimagines modern retail spaces as inviting environments that promote a sense of community and provide a contemporary venue for consumers and visitors to meet, share and innovate,” he continued.

Southern facade of UNStudio Huawei flagship store in Shanghai — *The store’s southern facade integrates undulating floor-to-ceiling glazing. Image courtesy of Huawei*

Each ivory-coloured ‘petal’ weaves down to meet the ground as ‘stems’, configured to hide the structural mullions between glass panels and create the sense of a frameless facade.

Soft lighting was also integrated between the petal edges to illuminate the store’s exterior at night.

Internal tree column in UNStudio Huawei flagship store in Shanghai — *A spiralling column was positioned as a visual marker within the central atrium*

The column was positioned to the side of the central atrium as a focal point for visitors and is wrapped by stairs that lead to the upper mezzanine floor.

To further the store’s biophilic character, the southern facade was finished with undulating glazing and seating that folds around the building’s curves.

Display zones in UNStudio Huawei flagship store in Shanghai — *The studio used neutral and clean internal finishes to complement the ivory-coloured store frontage*

The studio used wood and glassfibre-reinforced cement for the store’s ceilings, floor and columns, while product tables and furniture were also made from wood and natural-toned materials to add to the organic feel of the space.

According to UNStudio, the store integrates high-performance materials and prefabricated, detachable finishes to increase the building’s longevity, while the quality of the air inside the store is monitored by climate control technology.

“Huawei TKL flagship store re-crafts Huawei’s innovative technology into a design aesthetic,” UNStudio partner Hannes Pfau said.

“It seamlessly creates a unified facade and interior narrative, while using high-performance, certified and recycled materials.”

A Signature Experience zone will host featured events and exhibits, while the Consumer Full Scenario Experience zone lets visitors use and test Huawei products.

Undulating glazed facade in UNStudio Huawei flagship store in Shanghai — *Undulating floor-to-ceiling glazing was used for the store’s southern facade*

Both floors were designed with open and flexible spaces in which the store can host lectures, activities and classes.

To complete the store’s functional offerings, UNStudio also created a minimalist interior cafe to blend with the rest of the store for customers awaiting after-sale services.