cylindrical columns and stone steps outline resoul rooftop concept store

LubanEra·Design turns Industrial Rooftop into a zen retail space

LubanEra·Design’s RESOUL Photography Base & Concept Store in an industrial park rooftop in Shaxi, Zhongshan, China, transforms a once-abandoned warehouse into a fluid space that blends nature, light, and architecture. The design prioritizes simplicity and spatial flow, preserving the original structure while integrating natural elements like water, greenery, and stone to soften the stark industrial setting. By introducing open corridors, stairways, and courtyard spaces, the rooftop now serves as an oasis, offering a serene atmosphere for both work and photography.

The design moves beyond typical commercial spaces, avoiding overt branding elements in favor of a sensory, immersive environment. The fluidity of the space is achieved through flowing curves, balanced materials, and an interplay of light and shadow, which guide movement and create varied scenes throughout the concept store. Natural stone patterns and textures form a balanced contrast between solid mass and void space, nature and modern architecture, embracing the passage of time evident in the interior spaces.

all images by Nie Xiaocong

exterior and interior boundaries blur within RESOUL store

The flowing curves guide movement through the space, while soft lighting envelops the environment, directing the sightline across varied scenes. Interior and exterior boundaries blur, with floor-to-ceiling glass drawing in views of the surrounding landscape, integrating changing natural elements into the design. The project’s minimalistic aesthetic is defined by dynamic lines, geometric forms, and soft lighting that highlights the natural beauty of the space without overpowering it. The designers opt for a light color palette to emphasize purity and calm, complemented by the soft tones of greenery that enhance the space’s fluid transition from exterior to interior.

The space is divided into areas for relaxation, shopping, and contemplation, connected through thoughtful circulation that invites visitors to explore at their own pace. Courtyard spaces are carefully framed by cylindrical columns and stone steps, creating subtle shifts in spatial experience while maintaining a unified flow. The use of natural materials combined with modern aesthetics enhances the project’s overall focus on balance, connection, and reflection. The water yard, with its mirror-like reflections, amplifies the sense of scale and spatial presence of the building while blurring the boundaries between spaces. The design of the rooftop breaks free from spatial limitations, revealing the changing clouds and light. Through this transition from the tangible to the intangible, from physical space to spiritual essence, and the interplay of space and function, an authentic and accessible brand experience is crafted.

LubanEra·Design transforms a former warehouse rooftop into a serene space blending nature and architecture

Spatial Harmony defines LubanEra·Design’s RESOUL Concept Store

The white space creates a serene ambiance, where vigorous green plants blend with the surrounding environment. The choice of materials seeks a harmonious balance between texture and tactile sensation, with delicate grains echoing the vibrant plants. Sunlight cascades over the greenery and blank spatial surfaces, crafting a layered interplay of light and shadow. Each element’s combination represents the ultimate pursuit of spatial aesthetics. The corridor, defined by an array of cylindrical columns, transitions gracefully to the courtyard through natural stone steps, which define the boundaries of the courtyard space while offering a diverse spatial experience. A tea room, thoughtfully arranged as a sanctuary for rest and contemplation, invites visitors to immerse in its serene Zen atmosphere and explore its every corner.

At night, ambient lighting brings the rooftop space to life, highlighting the architectural elements and the serene interplay between light and shadow. The design of the RESOUL concept store embraces nature’s rhythms and contrasts, achieving a harmonious fusion of modernity and tranquility that aligns with the brand’s ethos of adaptability and fluidity. Through this careful design approach, the project creates a space that fosters a calm, reflective atmosphere while seamlessly integrating commercial and experiential functions.

the design maintains the original structure while introducing natural elements like water, greenery, and stone

open corridors and stairways soften the industrial setting, creating a tranquil rooftop environment

the concept store’s design moves beyond conventional retail spaces, focusing on a sensory, immersive experience

flowing curves guide movement through the space, enhanced by the interplay of light and shadow

the rooftop is divided into areas for relaxation and shopping, connected by thoughtful circulation

a balance of natural materials and modern design fosters a sense of connection and reflection

sunlight cascades over green plants and blank surfaces, creating layers of light and shadow

floor-to-ceiling glass blurs boundaries between interior and exterior, drawing the natural landscape inside

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cylindrical columns lead to the courtyard, where stone steps offer a diverse spatial experience

project info:

name: RESOUL Photography Base & Concept Store
designer: LubanEra·Design

creative director: Bobo Chen

design team: Qiu Wendi, Gan Ao, Zhang Le

area: 2,000 sqm

location: Shaxi, Zhongshan, China

photography: Nie Xiaocong

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom