Redefining Camera Store Experience: A Fresh Vision for Nikon in Beijing
Camera shops often appear highly technical, which can deter new customers from entering. Lukstudio was tasked with addressing this challenge for Nikon’s flagship stores in China. At Taikoo Li Sanlitun South Zone, Nikon and Lukstudio unveil a fresh vision for the Beijing Nikon Direct Store.
Embrace Eco-Philosophy by Repurposing Existing Structures
By meticulously organizing the primary and secondary structures and integrating indoor and outdoor functions, Lukstudio have designed a new “coat” for the exterior wall, pairing materials with different characteristics.
Facade That Distinguishes and Strengthens Brand Identity in Urban Retail Lanscape
Camera technology, natural inspiration, and industrial design were seamlessly integrated to craft a compelling spatial narrative. Bamboo chamfered windows of varying sizes extend outward like camera viewfinders, capturing intriguing moments from the surrounding environment.
A combination of corrugated metal, faux stone, polycarbonate panels, and bamboo timber was selected to create a striking facade with a dynamic interplay of textures and depths.
A dance of light is sculpted by the architecture, conveying that light is the soul of photography. During the day, the volume of the building and the openings of different transparencies record subtle changes of light qualities with time; when night falls, the facade is a dynamic display of how different elements come together complementing each other.
A Green Welcome at the Entrance
Walking through the main door, customers are greeted by the distinctive lens check-in spot, a recurring feature in all the other urban flagships. Behind the reception is a backdrop crafted from eco-friendly straw panels adding a touch of environmental consciousness.
At the entrance display, a circular camera stand is marked with a metal cross at the center, drawing attention to the exhibits like a camera’s focus.
Echoes of Nature: A Central Atrium with Cave-Inspired Walls
A circular atrium becomes the core of the interiors where various functions nestle around. The sinuous walls are finished in beige texture paint that not only creates the visual connection to a cave, but also delivers a quiet atmosphere, thanks to its noise-reduction surface quality.
The floor is paved with recycled bricks from the demolition of old buildings in Beijing, a choice both environmentally friendly and local. The display plinths and shelving are made of elm wood with stainless steel details, continuing the theme of integrating nature and technology.
In the lounge area, the wood and aluminum kit-of-parts create bespoke furniture pieces fitting around the columns. The system integrates seating, lighting and shelving, and provides a comfortable chillout spot.
Skywalks and Lens-Inspired Ceilings: A Fusion of Precision and Elegance
On the mezzanine level, glass and stainless-steel skywalks connecting all the pocket spaces while further instilling a sense of hitech precision. The terraced circular ceiling is inspired by the multi-layer structure of the camera lens, exuding an energy field in elegance.
The interweaving of light and shadow not only brings poetry to the retail space, but also provides rich and varied scenes for photographers to test their equipment and create on the spot
Maximizing Daylight in Workshop with Polycarbonate Railings and Extended Balustrades
In order to introduce more daylight into the workshop and take into account the perspectives between two levels of customers, the skywalk railings are made of polycarbonate panels.
The wood and aluminum structure of the balustrade extends to the bottom of the skywalk and the first floor wall. The linear array not only integrate the railings, lamps, and shelves into a design system, but also bring orderly beauty to this creative space.
The theme wall on the other side implements the multifarious idea of the exterior design and comprises of many parts. Apart from the display screen, it also incorporates sound-absorbing fabric panels, display racks, acrylic panels, and wood carvings of camera assembly.
In a bustling commercial complex such as Sanlitun, Nikon and Lukstudio aim to create a space where the photography community in Beijing and beyond can connect, offering a social experience that fosters harmony between mind, body, and environment.
| Location | Sanlitun, Beijing |
| Floor Area | 377 ㎡ |
| Year | 2024 |
| Designer | Lukstudio |
| Design Team | Christina Luk, Yoko You, Munyee Ng, Rebecca Tan, Kate Deng |
| Photography | Wen Studio |
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