Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Stairs, Glass, Handrail, SteelUniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - FacadeUniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Image 4 of 16Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Windows, CityscapeUniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - More Images+ 11

Text description provided by the architects. Located within the main shopping district of Shanghai, the Uniqlo flagship store's backlit skin of perforated metal, dramatic circular track with mannequins encased in acrylic futuristic capsules, robotic lighting, steel gravity tubes and glass panels successfully accomplished BCJ's goal to create an iconic building for their client.

Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Facade

To say this project was challenging would be an understatement. It wasn't just the teams working in three different languages and three different countries, or the state of the existing building - a dirt floored vacant building, but these circumstances paired with a government edict that all construction had to be within 30cm (12 inches) of the existing facade and completed prior to the Shanghai Expo in three months or the client would risk losing their lease added a bit of pressure. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson coordinated with the buildings original designers, Shanghai based Jiang Architects & Engineers to create a memorable flagship store for Uniqlo.

Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Windows, Facade
© Nic Lehoux

The client’s needs were to build their largest flagship store to introduce their brand and house their offices. The branding of the store required visibility of location with windowless space to display product however the government prevented exterior lighting or removal of the existing facade glass.

Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Windows, Cityscape
© Nic Lehoux

A skin of perforated metal was used to transform and unify the building. A wall of product was constructed and set inboard of the existing glass by several feet to allow access for maintenance while creating a light-box within to backlight the perforated skin. Viewed from a distance, the patterning in the perforated skin creates the appearance of folded fabric, a subtle reference to the building’s use.

Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Image 4 of 16
© Nic Lehoux

A rotating series of mannequins inhabit the entry. Robotic lighting tracks patron activity and engages them in a dramatic experience. A glass shard cuts through the existing concrete floors, and is animated with mannequins flying vertically on theatrical rigging. This new atrium brings light to the center of the deep floor-plates and clearly demarks the vertical circulation while titillating and sparking patron curiosity.

Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Beam
© Nic Lehoux

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Shanghai, China

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Uniqlo Shanghai / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson" 06 Jan 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/101073/uniqlo-shanghai-bohlin-cywinski-jackson> ISSN 0719-8884

© Nic Lehoux

上海优衣库旗舰店 / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.