Lemaire Chengdu Boutique Store by F.O.G. Architecture

The Lemaire Chengdu Boutique Store, located in the bustling Taikoo Li district, offers a serene refuge amid the urban vibrancy of Chengdu. Despite its proximity to landmarks such as the Apple Store and Fountain Plaza, the boutique's design creates an unexpected sense of tranquility, reflecting the concept of “serenity amidst the bustle.” This philosophy guided both the site selection and the interior design approach.

Harmonious Urban Integration

Departing from conventional retail design, the project strategically recesses the façade to create a landscaped buffer zone, linking the vibrant exterior with the calm interior. Visitors ascend a two-tiered staircase to an entry platform before descending into the boutique, introducing a ceremonial rhythm of "one step up, one step down." This thoughtful circulation enhances the spatial experience, balancing urban energy with refined interior calm, and embodies Lemaire’s ethos of understated elegance and simplicity.

Everyday Quality and Local Cultural References

A central design principle was “everyday quality,” reflecting the brand’s commitment to understated refinement. In Chengdu, plants are traditionally displayed in pots within homes. To honor this, the boutique features movable potted plants instead of fixed planters. Moreover, in a nod to local culture, traditional sauce jars house the plants, grounding the entrance landscape in Chengdu’s daily life and heritage.

Materiality and Bamboo Narratives

The boutique extensively utilizes locally sourced bamboo from Sichuan, integrating both tangible and intangible representations. Bamboo flooring, bamboo curtains, and other natural elements are complemented by textured exterior surfaces that evoke the feel of woven bamboo. This approach creates a cohesive material narrative, merging natural textures with refined craftsmanship to enhance the boutique’s tactile and visual identity.

Integration of Local Craftsmanship

Local Sichuanese craftsmanship is embedded throughout the design. The interiors feature Cha’erwa wool blankets from the Yi people of Liangshan and Cizhu bamboo weaving, forming custom patterns in collaboration with artisans and heritage craftsmen. Additionally, Moroccan Bejmat brick, a signature Lemaire material, is harmonized with traditional Chinese flooring techniques, bamboo weaving, and textiles to reflect Chinese cultural characteristics while maintaining the brand’s visual identity.

Detailed Construction and Spatial Design

Attention to construction details elevates the spatial experience. For instance, baseboards are inspired by Du Fu Cao Tang, where wooden strips overlay brick walls, creating a layered material effect that unifies thresholds, steps, and other transitions. Vertical panels are concealed within door frames, gaps subtly hint at spatial divisions, and extended overhead lintels serve as wooden garment displays. These nuanced details highlight precision craftsmanship and thoughtful material junctions, reinforcing the boutique’s sophisticated atmosphere.

All Photographs are works of Wen Studio