Louis Vuitton's Beijing Flagship: A Fusion of Fashion and Tradition
Experience the Convergence of Luxury and Heritage: Louis Vuitton Sanlitun
Architectural Inspiration: A Blend of Fabric and Stone
The renowned Japanese architectural firm, Jun Aoki & Associates, has recently unveiled the Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun in China's capital. This four-story edifice boasts a facade that is both ethereal and dynamic, characterized by its translucent and flowing design. The architects describe its form as simultaneously resembling a solid geological formation and a delicate garment, showcasing a fascinating duality.
Sanlitun's New Landmark: A Shifting Canvas
Situated in the vibrant Sanlitun shopping hub, the building's exterior is enveloped in dichroic mirrors, creating an ever-changing spectacle of light and color. This innovative design draws inspiration from a specific dress crafted by Nicolas Ghesquière, the creative director for Louis Vuitton's women's collections, which premiered in the brand's Spring-Summer 2016 show. Louis Vuitton itself noted that the facade was conceived as an elegant, radiant, and transparent covering, mirroring the dress's artistic interplay of form, illumination, and motion.
Roots in Tradition: The Scholar's Rock Influence
According to Jun Aoki, the visionary behind Jun Aoki & Associates, the facade's unique aesthetic was significantly influenced by the Taihu Stone, also known as the "scholar's appreciation stone" or gongshi, commonly found in classical Chinese gardens. These ancient stones are celebrated for their intricate, eroded forms and porous textures, embodying the profound beauty of Zen art.
Harmonizing Cultures: Beijing's Artistic Landscape
Aoki articulated his ambition for the project: to strike a delicate balance between a design deeply rooted in Beijing's urban identity and a clear expression of Louis Vuitton's brand essence. He observed that Beijing's landscape has been historically shaped by artificial interpretations of nature, such as man-made mountains and waterways. Within this context, the scholar's rock emerged as a concentrated symbol of natural spiritualism, serving as the foundational concept for the design.
Embracing Complexity: The Design Principles
The design team meticulously adhered to the traditional principles associated with scholar's rocks: 'shou' (a refined, taut presence), 'zhou' (a complex, textured surface), 'lou' (perforations or internal voids), and 'tou' (overall permeability). These attributes resonated deeply with the artistic qualities of Ghesquière's dress. Aoki highlighted that the core idea of a structure that simultaneously evokes a stone and a gown remained a guiding principle throughout the entire development process.
The Facade's Dual Nature: Glass and Light
The resultant facade features a two-layered construction. An internal layer provides insulation, while the external skin is an elaborate mosaic of 315 hand-curved glass pieces, meticulously assembled to form an "architectural lace." The integration of dichroic mirrors ensures that the building's surface dynamically shifts hues with the movement of daylight and changing seasons, transforming the store into what the brand describes as a "larger-than-life kaleidoscope." Aoki elaborated that while initial designs directly referenced patterns from the dress, the final iteration, utilizing dichroic mirrors, achieved a lighter and more ephemeral quality, akin to a mayfly's delicate wings.
Technological Craftsmanship: Sculpting Modernity
Aoki underscored the pivotal role of advanced computer technology, which afforded unprecedented freedom in manipulating complex three-dimensional and organic shapes during the facade's development. He acknowledged that the Sanlitun project pushed the boundaries of formal complexity in his previous works. Despite exploring the overall form through intuitive digital sculpting, the team remained committed to optimization, defining each curved surface with geometric precision by intersecting various three-dimensional planes to shape individual panels and ridge lines.
An Interior World of Luxury and Experience
Inside, the four-story space houses Louis Vuitton's complete range of collections, including men's and women's leather goods, ready-to-wear, fine jewelry, and home furnishings. Additionally, four exclusive private lounges cater to VIP clientele. A majestic central atrium seamlessly connects all the women's sections across three levels. The open floors allow natural light to flood the interiors, creating an inviting and airy atmosphere.
Culinary Heights: Beijing's First Louis Vuitton Cafe
The top floor is home to Beijing's inaugural Louis Vuitton cafe, a collaborative design between Louis Vuitton's in-house team and Barcelona-based Astet Studio. The cafe's interior echoes the facade's design with its flowing shapes and gentle contours. Guests are welcomed into an "infinite room," a mirrored lobby filled with books that celebrate the brand's themes of global exploration and cultural appreciation. An expansive terrace, complete with a rooftop bar, offers stunning city views and is shielded by the building's distinctive facade. The bar cabinet's design pays homage to the iconic Louis Vuitton trunks, while a hidden mirrored door leads to a private VIP room that can accommodate up to eight guests.
A Legacy of Innovation and Collaboration
Aoki expressed his hope that visitors would depart with a sense of wonder, an experience transcending simple dichotomies like natural versus artificial, or flamboyant versus restrained. Jun Aoki & Associates has a rich history of collaboration with Louis Vuitton spanning 25 years, with notable projects including Tokyo Namiki Dori and Osaka Midosuji. The studio also recently completed a Tiffany & Co. flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, featuring a similarly fluid exterior crafted from translucent glass panels. Photography for the project was provided by Louis Vuitton.