translucent pitched roof tops glass-clad store by designRESERVE in chinese village

designreserve’s transparent rooftop reflects tradition in china

The 50sqm White Is Good Shop in Luoyang, China, designed by designRESERVE for the brand HOWHITE, stands out with its minimalist, white-colored, eco-friendly aesthetic. The store features a pitched roof slightly lower than adjacent heritage buildings, forming an abstract trapezoidal cone shape that aligns with the neighboring structures. Made of twin-wall polycarbonate sheets and translucent fabric, the roof filters natural light during the day and glows like a lampshade at night.

The shop’s pitched roof emerges with lightness against the backdrop of traditional gray barrel tiles and brick decorations of the surrounding buildings, while still respecting the village skyline. Inside and out, the space reflects the brand’s values of responsible and restrained consumerism. Despite the dominant white palette, the space is far from monotonous, as the architects synchronize various materials to create multiple subtle shades of white.

all images courtesy of designRESERVE

glass-clad store serves the brand’s philosophy

HOWHITE, the brand featured in White Is Good Shop, is renowned for its carefully selected household goods, all packaged in minimal, white-colored, eco-friendly materials. Since its first launch in Beijing’s historic Hutong area, the brand has gained popularity for its unique minimalist style. The new shop in Luoyang by designRESERVE aims to showcase the brand’s identity and philosophy without alienating the local villagers. HOWHITE also requires the shop to exemplify sustainable construction, with the design team maximizing the use of recyclable materials. Surrounded by traditional courtyards and kiln houses preserved as housing museums, the new home for the brand faces the entry plaza of the village market. Inside, the original concrete structure is exposed to show the rawness of the space, contrasting the brand’s signature clean and orderly fashion.

the pitched roof of the store is slightly lower than that of adjacent heritage buildings

the roof is made of twin-wall polycarbonate sheets and translucent fabric

the store is surrounded by traditional courtyards and kiln houses

the original concrete structure is exposed to show the rawness of the space

HOWHITE is renowned for its household goods, all packaged in white-colored, eco-friendly materials

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the brand has gained popularity for its unique minimalist style

the roof filters natural light during the day and glows at night

the shop stands out against the backdrop of traditional gray barrel tiles

the design team maximized the use of recyclable materials

project info:

name: White Is Good Shop
brand: HOWHITE | @howhite.co
location: Weipo, Luoyang, China
architect: designRESERVE | @design_reserve

area: 50 sqm

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom