Lukstudio Limited. 芝作室

Aimé Patisserie

Aimé Patisserie

Lukstudio

Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie

ARCHITECTS
Lukstudio

LIGHTING CONSULTANT
German To for Lucent Lit Co. Ltd

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Dongde Decor

PHOTOGRAPHS
Peter Dixie

AREA
63.0 m²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Shanghai, China

CATEGORY
Store

Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie

Text description provided by architect.

Aimé Pâtisserie, a new brand entering the Shanghai market, has positioned its flagship store in an elevated retail strip on Huai Hai Road. The chosen site is flanked by familiar coffee and donut franchises, and fronted by a city bus-stop.

Across the street is the recently opened shopping mall flaunting an array of luxury brands.

Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie
Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie

The design challenge of the store is to stand out from its immediate chaos and appeal to the clientele from the close-by gentrified neighborhood. Our strategy is to dress this newcomer up as a white present.

The unwrapping experience of the Aimé gift box is translated into the physical store. The idea of layering appears when we lift one semicircular translucent paper after another to discover the colourful macarons within.

This opening sequence gives form to the overhead storefront design, while the window display made of four translucent layers attracts passers-by to explore inside the store.

Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie
Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie
Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie

Beyond the 4.5m retail storefront lies a turning L-shape layout divided into 2 zones: the foyer with bar seating and the display counter at the back.

With a lower ceiling, the former compresses views of the latter, yet frames the illuminated feature wall to capture the curious minds.Every step forward heightens the discovery of the playful interior where the 9m long counter showcasing macarons and other goodies in perfect order.

The illuminated feature wall composed of stacked gift boxes at various states of opening draws one’s eyes up to the ceiling were the whimsical pattern continues.

Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie
Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie

The versatile modular system allows for necessary wall display shelves, and ceiling openings for spotlights, speakers, and security devices.

In light of the neutral palette evoking a gallery ambiance, the branding wall is created with an artistic approach where aluminum bands are twirled and bent to cast calligraphic shadow.

Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie
Aimé Patisserie
© Peter Dixie

A visit to this white gift box should be a delight to the eyes as much as to the sweet tooth.


Aimé Patisserie
Diagram
Aimé Patisserie
Detail


Aimé Patisserie
Floor Plan
Aimé Patisserie
Floor Plan

Lukstudio Limited. 芝作室
T +86 21 62416810
Lukstudio Limited. 芝作室
Rm 5D, Yinglong Mansion, No. 1358 Yanan W Rd, Changning, Shanghai,200050 上海市长宁区延安西路1358号迎龙大厦5D