neri & hu utilizes vernacular material palette for valextra's chengdu store

shanghai-based firm neri & hu has completed a new store in chengdu china for luxury leather goods brand, valextra. the architects began by removing the building’s existing exterior wall and replacing it with a dark concrete façade that appears to hover above the ground. openings in the elevation provide a glimpse of the shop’s interior and the products on display. situated on a prominent corner plot, the project has been conceived as a library with a connected reading room.

all images by pedro pegenaute

upon entry, guests are greeted with a vernacular material palette that includes a floor and display table constructed from reclaimed chinese grey bricks. neri & hu also designed a bespoke circular structure, made from walnut, which provides ample display space. at the room’s center, a slab of solid white marble is positioned below a deep conical light funnel that brings in daylight.

from the outside, the building appears to hover above the ground

beyond the ‘library’ setting, the ‘reading room’ is clad in a wall of vertically placed, curved green tiles. here, valextra’s most exclusive products are presented on a layered table made from reclaimed grey brick, white porcelain tiles, green fabric, and a deep layer of solid reclaimed wood. storage areas, hidden from public view at the rear of the store, are also provided.

guests are greeted with a vernacular material palette

the floor and display table have been constructed from reclaimed chinese grey bricks

neri & hu also designed a bespoke circular structure, made from walnut

the unit provides plenty of display space

beyond is the ‘reading room’

the more intimate space is clad in a wall of vertically placed, curved green tiles

valextra’s most exclusive products are presented on a layered table

the table is made from reclaimed grey brick, white porcelain tiles, green fabric, and reclaimed wood

openings in the elevation provide a glimpse of the shop’s interior

the store is located in the chinese city of chengdu

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project info:

name: the library – valextra flagship store
site address: 1204 g/f, sino-ocean taikoo li chengdu, 8 middle shamao street, chengdu, china
type: architecture and interior design
design period: august 2017– february 2018
gross area: 160 sqm / 1,722 sqf
program: retail

architect & interior designer: neri & hu design and research office
design team: lyndon neri & rossana hu (founding partners, principal in charge), federico saralvo (senior associate), jacqueline g. min (associate), alfie huang , callum holgate, nicolas fardet (associate, product design)