ERDOS Land by waa: A Playful Factory Store Redefining Retail Design in Ordos

A Vibrant Retail Experience at the Crossroads of Architecture and Emotion

Designed by waa (we architech anonymous), ERDOS Land is a bold reimagining of retail architecture located within the ERDOS Group’s new headquarters complex on the outskirts of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China. Completed in 2025, this expansive 3,260-square-meter project merges commercial purpose with spatial artistry, transforming the conventional factory store into a multisensory retail landscape filled with color, light, and emotion.

Photographed by Yumeng Zhu, the project reveals how architectural design can craft an atmosphere of joy and inclusivity—where light pink tones, curving forms, and interactive environments create a memorable shopping experience that transcends commerce.

A Retail Landscape of Joy and Lightness

ERDOS Land by waa (we architech anonymous) transforms the concept of a factory store into a vibrant, immersive retail experience. Located within the brand’s new headquarters complex on the outskirts of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, the project spans 2,600 square meters of shopping area complemented by 700 square meters of auxiliary programs, including a café, a children’s play zone, and a visitor center.

The design reimagines conventional retail architecture with a playful palette, fluid circulation, and immersive spatial dynamics, creating a space where commerce, leisure, and design seamlessly converge.

Color as Architecture: Pink as a Narrative Tool

At the heart of the design is a continuous pink ribbon-like installation that winds through the store. Acting simultaneously as a display rack, lighting support, and wayfinding device, this bold pink structure defines the store’s visual identity.

The architects use color psychology to establish a sense of joy, warmth, and softness. Through pink hues and subtle highlight tones, the interior evokes optimism and lightheartedness. The “optical vibration” created by varying pink shades gives the store an energetic yet harmonious rhythm, making shopping an emotionally uplifting experience.

Spatial Flow and Organization

As ERDOS’s largest single-floor store, the project accommodates over 700 visitors daily and displays more than 4,000 garments across five of the company’s fashion labels. To manage this volume efficiently, waa designed a flexible circulation system organized around four central islands.

Each island serves a unique product category—scarves, jumpers, accessories, and general wear—allowing visitors to navigate the store through continuous loops or interconnected figure-eight pathways. This design encourages exploration, enabling fluid movement between zones while maintaining clear visibility and intuitive navigation.

Integrated Play and Comfort

The project embraces a multi-generational shopping experience by integrating playful and family-friendly elements directly within the retail layout. One alcove, dedicated to the children’s collection, merges play facilities with display units. Pipes and climbing structures are seamlessly incorporated into the interior, allowing children to interact physically while parents browse nearby.

Above, a fluid barrisol ceiling unifies the entire interior. Its seamless surface enhances light diffusion, eliminates harsh shadows, and adds a soft, atmospheric glow that accentuates the garments. The ceiling’s contoured form contrasts with the geometric order of the fixtures below, creating an engaging visual dialogue between structure and material.

Design Language of Interaction

Throughout the project, waa applies the guiding principle that “color can deceive continually.” This concept manifests in the layered visual experiences of the space—where color transitions, reflections, and material juxtapositions subtly shift perception.

Aggregate columns separating retail booths incorporate fitting rooms and structural functions, emphasizing the integration of form and function. The repetition of playful design devices—such as feature chandeliers doubling as garment supports—reinforces a consistent design vocabulary while keeping the spatial experience lighthearted and dynamic.

 Retail as an Experiential Journey

ERDOS Land challenges traditional notions of retail interiors by treating the act of shopping as an emotional, interactive journey. waa’s design blends architectural precision, sensory engagement, and color-based storytelling, redefining the brand’s spatial identity.

More than a store, ERDOS Land becomes a landscape of color, play, and discovery—a destination that captures the essence of modern Chinese retail culture while celebrating joy, community, and design innovation.

All photographs are works of Yumeng Zhu