lukstudio builds modern supermarket in china with wooden frames and vernacular references

shanghai-based architecture firm lukstudio has completed a store with a memorable identity for fresh mart supermarket in changsha, china. reinterpreting the familiar typology and spatial elements of common chinese markets and street booths, lukstudio uses wooden framed structures and surfaces to produce a unique design based on both efficiency and aesthetics. 

stacked milk crates give a sense of order to the facade during the day and transform into glowing lanterns at night
all images courtesy of lukstudio

throughout the supermarket, lukstudio has installed a wooden frame that ties all the different sections together: fruit & vegetable, fishmonger, butchery, dry goods, restaurant, cafe, and bakery. each zone is then characterized by an assembly of relevant features or textures. for example, the street facade and the nearby dry goods sections are marked by stacked milk crates, which convey a sense of order to the busy racks and double as a lighting feature at night.

at the bakery cabin, a grid extends from the gable roof structure and becomes the framework of an orderly bread display

meanwhile, at the fresh vegetable section, the architects have designed a series of metal mesh canopies that mimick tarpaulin, in order to generate an outdoor market-like environment for the customers. at the corner where the butchery turns into the fishmonger, apart from a lively wall graphic linking the sections, a material gradation along the counter intends to smooth out the transition. inspired by the sturdy chopping board often used by butchers, wooden blocks of different depths line the meat section and gradually change into waterproof stone finishes that surround the self-service fish tanks.

at the fresh vegetable section, the idea is to create the experience of walking down the aisles of a local street market

the dining area is conceived as an open-air street food stall. hovering over an array of refrigerated goods and seating, the wooden frame structure here transforms into an ad-hoc pitched roof with the addition of corrugated panels. lattice screens are used as a visually permeable barrier between dining and shopping, but also as a unifying texture wrapping around counters and equipment. bamboo tables, rattan chairs, and flagstone pavers are combined to compose a chinese vernacular, recalling the memory of having a meal at an outdoor local joint.

the dining area is conceived as an open-air street food stall

following the flagstone pavement, the ‘open-air’ food stall leads to a more intimate bakery and café area. by replacing corrugated panels into purlin structure, the wooden frame gives form to a gable-roof cabin, optimizing the original low-ceiling space into a cozy hangout with terraced seating. at the bakery cabin, a grid extends from the gable roof structure and becomes the framework of an orderly bread display. at the check-out area, molded strawboard with a weaving profile is used to line the counter front and the menu above. its natural warm tone and rich texture help compose the overall welcoming ambience.

following the flagstone pavement, the ‘open-air’ food stall leads to a more intimate bakery and café area

by replacing corrugated panels into purlin structure, the wooden frame gives form to a gable-roof cabin, optimizing the original low-ceiling space into a cozy hangout

metal mesh canopies mimicking tarpaulin in a typical chinese outdoor market

lattice screens are used as a visually permeable barrier between dining and shopping, but also a unifying texture wrapping around counters and equipment

the natural-toned milkcrates stack in order to offset the colourful product display in the dry goods area

a wooden frame is used as an infrastructure that ties all the different sections together

project info:

name: the assembled market
architecture office: lukstudio
location: changsha, china

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom