ZUCZUG FLAT Taikoo Li Store designed by FLIP studio (China)

An “unfinished” dwelling is not simply a one-time completed space. It may start as a simple blank space, but over time, this space evolves - flexible partitions come in, new furniture finds its place, and traces of tearing, use or demolition are left on the walls. Each subtle transformation signifies its continuous growth.

In the ZUCZUG Flat store located in Taikoo Li, Chengdu, the design of FLIP Studio is inspired by the classic "white-on-white" theme in modern art. By collaging the white surfaces of the ceiling, floor and walls with different textures and integrating elements of colorful acrylic in furniture, the design forms a three-dimensional spatial composition. It abstractly captures the essence of an “unfinished” dwelling that evolves over time to give an artistic interpretation of ZUCZUG’s “flat” themed fashion boutique that focuses on colorful basics.

 In terms of spatial layout, the display furniture and partitions are used to indicate home spaces such as the entrance, the living and the private without setting obvious boundaries. At the entrance, a set of stools of varying heights and lengths is designed in a wood-frame language, only occasionally with wood members replaced by acrylic elements. In the middle of the store, the fitting room and clothing display functions are combined to form an enclosed space just like a walk-in closet. At the same time, the half-height partition wall uses a combination of wall openings, mirrors, and white metal frames to give the space hierarchy. 

Through a collage of four different textures of white materials, the surfaces of the ceiling, walls and floor restore the overlapping textures of old and new walls in an abstract manner. The floor uses white micro cement, as the lower parts of the wallsuses a warm white latex paint superimposed on top of a free-split knife textured micro cement. This kind of material collage relationship also continues in the treatment of the ceiling, so that it is finally presented as a white space with a high artistic aesthetic.

By using white ash wood and colorful acrylic, the design of the furniture extracts theirlanguage from a composition of lines, surfaces and volumes. Magenta, bright yellow, and sky blue frosted acrylic appear in the form of hanging bars and shelves, while the dye colored acrylic hooks on the pegboard or the diagonal acrylic member in the wood furniture serve as vibrant dots and lines in the space. Under the interplay of the light, these colors cast a radiant halo on the white surface, igniting a dialogue between the stark white space and the vibrant hues. Details such as the exposed intersectionprofiles in wood furniture and the deliberately exposed drawer track express the spirit of the "unfinished".

Planning & Drawing

Project Information

Project Name：ZUCZUG FLAT Taikoo Li Store

Project Location：Taikoo Li Chengdu, China

Lead Designer: Kailun Sun

Area：80㎡

Design Team：Zixuan Chen、Qichuan Tian

Photo：Xinghao Liu

Completion：2023.10

Company Website: www.flip-studio.com