Hanscool, Gangzhou, 2020

This project developed the retail concept for a newly launched fashion brand founded by a textile supplier, first realized through two distinct store variations and intended for future rollout.Through conversations with the owner, the project became rooted in a fascination with the qualities of fabric—its flexibility, durability, and beauty. The central idea was to reinterpret woven textiles as an architectural system. Historically, timber structures share similarities with woven fabrics, where individual elements come together to create a larger whole. Inspired by this relationship, a family of wooden display systems was developed, ranging from traditional joinery to contemporary connections. Different assembly patterns generate distinct spatial qualities, each serving specific retail functions. Together, these modular elements form a flexible system for future stores, allowing the brand identity to emerge through the arrangement of fixtures alone.The project also reinterprets the dual nature of clothing—its relationship between body and appearance—through the plan itself. Display areas are enclosed within the fixture system, while the remaining spaces become zones for conversation, fitting, and informal interaction. In an era dominated by online shopping, these spaces are intended to celebrate the unique social experiences of physical retail, fostering meaningful human connections through fashion.

Photo : SS Keishin Horikoshi