Take a Look Inside Lemaire’s First China Boutique in Chengdu

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Summary

  • Lemaire’s Chengdu boutique marks the brand’s first store in China
  • Designed by F.O.G. Architecture, the store features a recessed façade imbued with traditional Sichuan elements
  • The store incorporates design details that nod to traditional Chinese elements

In Chengdu‘s Taikoo Li district, Lemaire’s initial boutique beautifully combines peacefulness and cultural heritage. Designed by F.O.G. Architecture, this 140-square-meter establishment uses a recessed facade to create a protective barrier between the busy shopping center and its calm interior. The entrance, decorated with portable plants in traditional Sichuan sauce jars, mirrors the overhang spaces of classic Chinese architecture, providing shoppers a symbolic transition into the store’s enveloping atmosphere.

In this store’s design, local bamboo is a key theme that runs throughout, from the bamboo flooring and curtains to stone elements that imitate woven bamboo texture. This design combines reality and abstraction in its architectural story, with traditional Sichuan crafts tastefully incorporated. These collaborative efforts involve architects, local artists, and skilled artisans from the region. Notable examples include using Yi-made Cha’erwa wool shawls as curtain panels and Cizhu bamboo woven door handles. This blend of local craftsmanship and global aesthetics keeps the boutique true to its cultural context while adhering to Lemaire’s minimalist design approach.

In this design, Lemaire skillfully incorporates Moroccan Bejmat tiles – a unique feature often seen in their work – which subtly echo the greyscale hues typical of traditional Chinese masonry. This thoughtful selection adds to the boutique’s harmonious blend of various materials. The architectural elements within the space are inspired by local historical structures, such as our baseboards that take cues from the wooden thresholds of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage, giving them a soft and flowing quality as they seamlessly transition different surfaces.

At the store, a calming ambiance is enhanced by its clever layout design that seamlessly blends technological innovation. Hidden vertical boards are nestled within door frames, and gaps on either side of the entrance hint at their presence without breaking the continuous visual path. Above the entrance, an elongated beam functions as a wooden clothing rack, stylishly showcasing garments while preserving the boutique’s subtle charm.

1342 Boutique, located on the first floor of Building 18, Taikoo Li Chengdu

Address: No. 8 Zhongshamao Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610021

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2025-05-21 09:26