Tradition and luxury. CALVINLUO Chengdu IFS Boutique Store by say architects

Project description by say architects

CALVINLUO's flagship store in the southwest region is situated on the second floor of Chengdu IFS, within the prestigious IFS Galleria complex, representing another exciting collaboration between SAY Architects and CALVINLUO. SAY's vision was to seamlessly blend with the local culture, showcasing Chengdu's rich Eastern architectural heritage while creating a laid-back and comfortable ambiance for a distinctive shopping experience.

Drawing inspiration from Eastern gardens, the designers crafted a captivating "CALVINLUO GARDEN" amidst the opulent and luxurious retail environment, skillfully melding traditional lifestyle elements with a contemporary fashion ethos. Thus, CALVINLUO Chengdu isn't merely a fashionable brand store; it's an elegant and refined aesthetic space in its own right.

At the entrance of the courtyard, sleek and lustrous metal glass replaces the traditional green brick tiles, presenting a striking fusion of materials. As one strolls through the courtyard, the interplay of metal elements and glass materials exudes a distinctive avant-garde charm, with every displayed product resembling a piece of art.


CALVINLUO Chengdu IFS Boutique Store by say architects. Photograph by Wen Studio.

Navigating the artfully designed stone steps divides the space into interconnected corridors and a central courtyard, each exuding a sense of independence while offering a pleasant and leisurely garden-like ambience. The central courtyard boasts a specially crafted gathering area with iconic Chengdu-style mahjong tables and chairs, complemented by a combination of wooden benches and transparent glass square tables, cleverly juxtaposing tradition with modernity in an engaging manner.

The store predominantly features black materials, artfully accentuated with touches of red and patterned marble, resulting in a well-defined, refined yet understated spatial aesthetic. The strategic use of transparent glass at the heart of the garden and floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the surrounding corridors recreates the allure of traditional Eastern arcades, while dynamic interplay of light and shadow adds to the fluidity and elegance of the space. The inspiration drawn from Eastern gardens further extends to the window displays, with a skillful play of "cutting, splicing, and stacking" of materials, constructing an alluring "tile" decoration. Under the illumination, silver metal elements shimmer, embodying a vibrant and cutting-edge design concept.

Through a reinterpretation of Sichuan's architectural heritage, the space achieves a perfect balance of modernity and tradition, concealing an air of elegance and innovation. CALVINLUO Chengdu IFS Boutique Store artfully breathes new life into Chengdu's historical charm within this captivating "GARDEN," where creativity seamlessly blends with tradition.