Chinese fashion brand MASONPRINCE is known for its evocative retail spaces, and its newest outpost in Guangzhou, is no exception. Situated in Yongqingfang, a historic downtown area which has seen a dramatic makeover in recent years, the store occupies no less than 500 sqm. (5,382 sq.ft.) spread across three floors of an equally revamped mansion in traditional Sai Kwan style. MASONPRINCE tapped Chinese architecture practice TOMO Design to create a matching setting. The ground floor is concepted as a traditional tea house, and sees classical Oriental aesthetics paired with cutting-edge contemporary design. The entrance features a quaint plaque and traditional Cantonese windows, exuding a timeless elegance and cultural ambiance rooted in the aforementioned traditional style. An interesting element of the design is a large ceiling lamp in the shape of a roulette wheel which corresponds with an octagonal fountain pool placed right below.
Needless to say, the design reflects an auspicious belief cherished by Cantonese people. Mind you, the octagon is a symbol of completeness and perfection in traditional Chinese culture. Unsurprisingly, each element of the MASONPRINCE store has been thoughtfully designed to maintain overall harmony while subtly defining different functional areas. The premises are dotted with other references to Chinese culture. One floor up, shoppers find an entire space dipped in a beige colour palette, featuring square brick flooring and weapon racks reimagined as clothing displays. An installation with a wooden dummy, which pays homage to the spirit of traditional martial arts, takes centre stage, and is demarcated by large stone blocks and thick metal chords.
The top floor takes historic guild halls as a design theme, integrating the imprint of the 1970s and 1980s Western department stores in Guangzhou along the way with MASONPRINCE‘s iconic ‘modern retro office’ store identity. As such, this floor aims to represent a dialogue between the classic and the future, creating a spatial narrative across three interconnected areas—a lobby, an office, and a meeting room. Similar to the floors below, shoppers come across a slew of Chinese cultural references mixed with modern elements. At the entrance, another in-store installation can be found which is inspired by both an old Chinese tale and modern technology, sparking a dialogue between ancient and modern cultures. But most of all, the highly eclectic design here – picture a swimming pool atop a conference table and a fish tank repurposed as a printer – emphasises retro metallic textures that evoke the passage of time. The new MASONPRINCE store carries the full range of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and shoes. © superfuture
MASONPRINCE
13 Jixiangfang (Yongqingfang)
510140 Guangzhou
Telephone +86 181 22272046
Daily 10am-10pm
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