kooo architects salvages wood from demolished rural buildings for camping store in china

Snow Peak store in china promotes sustainable living

Kooo Architects creates an immersive camping atmosphere at the Snow Peak TaikooliQiantan Experience Centre store in China. Echoing the Japanese camping brand’s philosophies of promoting sustainable living and reconnecting people with nature, the interior design concept utilizes reclaimed wooden beams and boards from demolished rural buildings to create a series of displays. The design aims to create a camping experience space with distinctive Snow Peak brand features. It features an open exhibition space, similar to an art gallery, to highlight the brand’s products. 

The original facade was removed, and traditional shop windows were eliminated, creating a more expansive interior that enhances visibility and flow. Inside, the layout optimizes both the display and customer experience. Wooden beams and boards are arranged to evoke the feeling of walking through a canopy of trees, creating a camping atmosphere while adding tactile depth through their varied textures in an interesting contrast of natural and urban elements.

all images by Keishin Horikoshi

kooo architects embodies the brand’s reuse philosophy

Since its conception in 1958, Snow Peak has consistently combined sustainable development and product research, seeking to make outdoor camping an integral part of life. The brand recycles and reuses waste generated during the manufacturing process, creating a circular system, while practicing a ‘permanent repair’ after-sales service, aiming to extend the lifespan of products and to minimize waste and maximize utility.

As rural urbanization accelerates, many buildings with structures often using rammed earth and wooden beams are being demolished or reconstructed. Japanese studio Kooo Architects addresses this with the store’s design by incorporating timber beams with distinct textures and historical marks, salvaged from these demolished rural buildings. Instead of contributing to landfill waste or cheap furniture production, these materials are repurposed into the store’s structure, further reducing carbon emissions.

The design also pays tribute to Snow Peak’s association with the craftsmanship of the Tsubame-Sanjo region in Japan, known for high-quality metalwork. Metal props include a complementary central island crafted between the wooden beams, while additionally, Snow Peak’s iconic solid stake — a signature camping tool — has been reinterpreted as a key feature of the store.

Kooo Architects completes the Snow Peak TaikooliQiantan Experience Centre store

utilizing reclaimed wooden beams and boards from demolished rural buildings to create a series of displays

the design aims to create a camping experience space with distinctive Snow Peak brand features

wooden beams and boards are arranged to evoke the feel of walking through a canopy of trees

salvaged wood is repurposed, instead of contributing to landfill waste or cheap furniture production

culture display space evoking an art gallery

since conception in 1958, Snow Peak has sought to make outdoor camping an integral part of life

the design pays tribute to Snow Peak’s association with the metal craftsmanship of the Tsubame-Sanjo region

the set-up evokes a camping experience

natural and contemporary details

the layout optimizes both the display and customer experience

project info:

name: Snow Peak Taikoo Li Qiantan Experience Centre
architect: Kooo Architects

design team: Shinya Kojima, Ayaka Kojima, Kotaro Kitakami, Xinyue Tong, Dang Zhen, Xueying Xiong

location: Wood Zone, Taikoo Li Qiantan, Shanghai, China

photographer: Keishin Horikoshi

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom