Architectural Cases

In Beijing's vibrant Sanlitun district, the fashion brand Urban Revivo has unveiled its new flagship store, a 4,120-square-meter architectural marvel meticulously crafted by MVRDV. This expansive retail space is strategically positioned between the North and South Villages of the commercial hub, designed to firmly establish the burgeoning Chinese brand within Beijing's fiercely competitive luxury retail landscape. The design concept is a thoughtful fusion of Beijing's esteemed architectural traditions, drawing inspiration from classic roof tiles, iconic moon gates, and the distinctive grey brickwork of historic hutongs, seamlessly integrated with contemporary retail design principles.

The exterior of the building features an innovative facade composed of suspended aluminum tiles and tubular elements, which artfully reinterpret the undulating rhythm of Beijing's historical rooftops. These elements are finished in Urban Revivo's signature blue hue, enhanced with a dichroic coating that transitions between blue and purple depending on the observer's vantage point. This dynamic color-shifting effect allows the storefront to evolve visually throughout the day, responding to changing light conditions. In various sections, these suspended components gracefully swell outward, forming wave-like, three-dimensional structures that introduce depth through intricate shadow play, subtle reflections, and varied color nuances.

Inside the store, MVRDV's design team has integrated seven circular apertures, echoing the forms of traditional Chinese moon gates, which also function as elegant display windows. The largest of these portals serves as the main entrance, guiding visitors into an interior characterized by grey brick surfaces, a direct nod to Beijing's historic narrow hutong neighborhoods. As patrons ascend through the store's four levels, these circular openings undergo a subtle transformation: evolving into graceful arches on the first floor, rounded rectangles on the second, and inverted curves on the uppermost level, gradually introducing more contemporary geometric forms.

The material palette also shifts across the different floors. The first level is defined by reflective surfaces and vibrant blue furnishings, while the second floor adopts a darker, more subdued aesthetic. On the upper floor, luxurious velvet upholstery and deep cobalt blue accents create an atmosphere of tranquility and exclusivity within the private shopping areas.

Throughout the building, six distinctive thematic display environments, dubbed the 'Bold Rooms' by MVRDV, are strategically distributed. Each room is meticulously designed with unique material environments to complement specific product collections. For instance, the 'Soft Room' features plush upholstered walls, while the 'Playful Room' is constructed from recycled textile blocks. Mirrored surfaces define the 'Urban Room,' timber display boxes organize the 'Daring Room,' and the 'Unexpected Room,' lined with curtains, offers reconfigurable spaces for rotating collections or installations by local artists. Additionally, two 'Avant-Garde Rooms' are situated within the building's atriums, utilizing glass display cases to highlight featured products.

Every detail of the store, from bespoke signage and furniture to display systems and clothing racks, was custom-designed by MVRDV, ensuring a cohesive spatial experience that truly embodies Urban Revivo's brand identity. This Beijing flagship store successfully grounds the brand in its local cultural context through familiar architectural references, while simultaneously showcasing its ambition for international expansion, creating a unique and memorable retail destination.

Nestled within a verdant forest clearing near Bezdonys, Lithuania, the Sanctum nature therapy retreat, envisioned by Studio Arches, exemplifies a profound integration of architectural design with its natural surroundings. This innovative project offers a sanctuary that combines various functional spaces, including lodging, communal facilities, dining zones, and recreational areas, all meticulously placed to complement the existing landscape rather than imposing a new order. The design philosophy centers on fostering a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the therapeutic qualities of nature.

The overarching layout of the retreat is artfully crafted along a natural linear progression, linking significant elements of the local topography. This includes an ancient multi-trunk oak, a mature pine tree thoughtfully preserved within an inner courtyard, and a graceful line of birch trees that guides visitors towards individual guest cabins. The strategic positioning of structures was informed by existing clearings, mature vegetation, and established pathways, allowing the architecture to adapt fluidly to the forest's rhythm while diligently safeguarding its ecological essence. This approach ensures that the retreat enhances, rather than diminishes, the inherent beauty and ecological integrity of the site.

The architectural expression of the Sanctum retreat draws inspiration from the proportions of traditional Baltic rural buildings, manifested through a series of gabled timber volumes. These structures feature vertically elongated forms that gracefully mirror the tall pines of the surrounding forest, maintaining a subtle and respectful presence within the vast landscape. Each building is carefully sited among the trees, framing picturesque views and delineating a sequence of protected outdoor spaces. These framed vistas and defined outdoor areas collectively reinforce the intrinsic connection between human-made structures and the natural world, inviting occupants to engage deeply with their environment.

Central to the retreat's design is a semi-enclosed courtyard, serving as both its organizational and social hub. Dining areas, shared spaces, activity rooms, and circulatory paths radiate from this open core, maintaining uninterrupted visual and physical links with the encompassing forest. A versatile multipurpose hall extends directly into the landscape, accommodating a diverse range of activities from group gatherings to specialized wellness programs. Further enriching the spatial experience are smaller, more intimate courtyards. One such meditation courtyard is thoughtfully sheltered by a lightweight timber canopy, which delicately filters natural light, creating dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. Another courtyard highlights an existing birch tree, allowing its seasonal transformations to become a vivid part of the daily lived experience. These intermediate outdoor areas provide tranquil pauses within the expansive layout, encouraging moments of contemplation and connection with nature.

The material selection for the project underscores a commitment to longevity, environmental performance, and a natural aging process. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), local pine, Kebony-modified wood cladding, copper, glass, and polished concrete are prominently utilized throughout the retreat. These materials are chosen for their ability to gradually integrate with their sylvan backdrop, allowing the buildings to become an organic part of the woodland over time. Furthermore, the retreat incorporates advanced sustainable technologies, including photovoltaic panels for energy generation, rainwater harvesting systems, biological wastewater treatment, and highly energy-efficient building mechanisms, all contributing to its minimal environmental footprint.

Rather than merely serving as a scenic backdrop, the forest at Sanctum is conceptualized as the principal organizing force of the entire project. Through the thoughtful arrangement of structures, courtyards, pathways, and open spaces, the retreat establishes a profound and symbiotic relationship between architectural form and its natural context. This deliberate design encourages introspection, facilitates movement, and promotes a continuous, engaging interaction with the surrounding environment, ultimately fostering a holistic sense of well-being for all who visit.