Streetwear, rooted in subcultures like hip-hop and skateboarding, has recently made its way into the high-end fashion arena. Since 2016, AKENZ, a trendy Northern European collection store, has been introducing premium streetwear to the Chinese market. With the launch of their new flagship store in Shanghai, AKENZ aims to establish a stronger and more distinctive brand identity. Inspired by the dynamic vibe of a skateboard park, Zhizuo Studio designed a space that seamlessly merges fashion trends with an urban backdrop.
△ Plan View
The flagship store is situated on the second floor of the Shanghai Fashion New Coordinates “TX Huaihai,” featuring a street-facing shopfront. The layout respects the irregular shape of the original space and takes advantage of the storefront’s landscape along the street. By deconstructing and reconstructing triangular elements, the design creates distinct spatial characteristics and layered transitions between indoor and outdoor themed areas.
△ Window Display
Upon entering the mall, visitors are greeted by AKENZ’s clean and organized display windows, featuring black fence screens accented with white reflective strips. Ascending the stairs, the window display gradually shifts from simply revealing the logo to showcasing the products—like a street performance lifting its curtain.
Indoor Skateboarding Area
Passing through the window display, visitors enter the “indoor skateboard park.” Two white exhibition zones, inspired by the dynamic shapes of skateboard pools, are set against a dark backdrop made up of black floor tiles, iron walls, and perforated ceilings. This sharp contrast creates a dramatic atmosphere that highlights the merchandise.
△ Display Rack System
△ Modular Brand Signage
The design team drew inspiration from the metal grinding rails commonly found in skateparks. They developed a sturdy yet lightweight modular display system using metal rods and rails, integrated with LED light strips and detachable brand signage. While the large ramp element evokes the atmosphere of a skateboard park, these detailed design features reflect the improvisational spirit of street skateboarders.
△ Mirror Ceiling Design
Outdoor Garden
Between the two ramp exhibition zones lies an outdoor sunlit garden, lush with willows and flowers. Triangular floor-to-ceiling booths are scattered like urban furniture throughout the space. The mirrored stainless steel strip ceiling reflects the lively street scene through the glass curtain wall, turning the interior into a living impressionist painting that captures the shifting light, shadows, and colors of the seasons. This design adds vibrancy and dynamism to the space.
△ Multifunctional Exhibition Stands and Booths
△ Various Exhibition Stand Combinations
The custom multi-layered board exhibition booths extend along the windowsill, integrating flower beds and benches to provide customers with a comfortable space to rest and try on shoes. Along the windowsill, a modular display rack stretching 16.5 meters accommodates over 200 products, enhancing the contrast between the showcased items and the street view. The rack features a fixed white metal frame with movable shelves, allowing flexible configurations to suit different display needs.
△ Outdoor Storefront Display Facing the Street
Modern commercial design increasingly focuses on creating immersive experiences to boost customer engagement and brand loyalty. By blending extreme sports elements with iconic urban street scenes, Zhizuo Studio crafted a dynamic, scene-based space that communicates to young trendsetters the lifestyle and spirit of streetwear culture—one that embraces self-expression and challenges personal limits.
Project Details
Address: Shop L2-0102, No. 523 Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Indoor Area: 187 square meters
Interior Design: LUKSTUDIO Studio
Design Team: Lu Yingzhi, Zhang Yicheng
Scope: Interior design, lighting, display props
Main Materials: Iron plate, perforated plate, stainless steel spray coating, LED lights (Daye Lighting), ceramic tiles, terrazzo, wood, faux stone paint, multi-layer board, soft upholstery
Design Period: May 2020 – June 2020
Construction Period: June 2020 – July 2020
Photography by Peter Dixie for Luotang Architecture Photography
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