“We shape this world through abstract concepts, and through art, we translate thoughts, intuition, feelings, and intentions into actions that can transform reality.” – Olafur Eliasson
VAGTEERA is situated within the Debi WE International Cultural and Art Center in Suzhou’s Gusu District, just a stone’s throw from the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of China’s renowned “Four Famous Gardens.”
Given this unique location, the project embraces a disruptive exhibition model, aiming to explore innovative ways to blend products with artistic aesthetics.
By redefining the “experience” through spatial interfaces, VAGTEERA creates a seamless journey of “visit → resonate → purchase.” The indoor space, spanning over 240 square meters, serves as a dynamic stage for young innovators, showcasing cutting-edge fashion concepts and reflecting future lifestyles.
[Construction | Self-Generation]
Inspired by the theme “Floating Half Earth,” the design challenges conventional perceptions, emphasizing an intentional “unknowable.”
The “construction” process focuses on irregular blocks extending from varied cross-sections. Guided by the principles of “generation,” which respect the original structure and functional needs, the space’s internal skeleton takes shape. The natural interplay of cutting and connecting forms a “new” spatial order, with inherent cues weaving through the environment.
Concept Plan
The interior layout is envisioned as a “composite” of two circular zones—a smaller one serving as an introduction, naturally leading into larger circular forms. Utilizing the existing load-bearing columns as the “axis,” a spiral staircase facilitates organic circulation, while the surrounding product display areas are open and outward-facing.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls define the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, maintaining visual openness and encouraging interaction between the surrounding scenery and interior elements.
△ Layout Plan (1st Floor)
△ Layout Plan (2nd Floor)
Large, right-angled, fan-shaped glass windows adorn the walls, featuring hanging displays inside and serving as built-in showcases.
The question “What is this?” often sparks curiosity and engagement, and once visitors begin to wonder and explore, the design’s purpose is already partially fulfilled.
△ Project Exterior
[Interface | Modular Order]
Order acts as a seed from which abstract geometric concepts of the space grow. The circular summaries and curved edges, combined with the interplay of vertical and horizontal planes, express a spatial attitude of “softness externally, rigidity internally.”
△ Interior Interface
Adhering to modular design principles, the space is zoned to support “assembly” construction. This approach ensures integration and connectivity between functional areas, meeting the diverse needs of product display and consumer engagement.
△ Interior Interface
[Materials | Contrast and Return]
Materials lend texture and emotion to the space. Glossy metals and acrylics create a modern, fashionable atmosphere, contrasting with the granular texture of tiles and the rugged surface of stones. This juxtaposition expresses a fusion of technological innovation and nature’s mysteries.
Unpolished stones act as intentional “anomalies” within meticulously controlled spaces—a deliberate disruption of the original order. This contrast generates tension and ultimately defines the unique character of the space.
△ Combination of Various Interior Materials
△ Second Floor Space
Nature is abstracted and infused into an avant-garde spatial style. The interplay of materials enriches the interior details and layering, subtly reflecting the connection between VAGTEERA, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, and the surrounding natural environment.
[Color | Bold and Forward-Thinking]
Color shapes our impressions through visual perception. Exposed, unaltered materials reveal their true nature, while vibrant accents build tension and strive to break stereotypes. Through a balance of “restraint” and “explosion,” the design creates a fantastical experience of “touching” the future.
The fusion of design and nature, past and future, is expressed through a palette of gray tones highlighted with Klein blue and fluorescent green, crafting a multidimensional space bridging time.
△ Color Expression
[VAGTEERA | Floating Half Earth]
This project invites reflection and introspection—both in its design and through the experience it offers. It represents an unknown journey through space, while serving as a profound meditation on the future, the present moment’s phenomena, and their underlying essence.
△ Axial Measurement Breakdown
Project Information
Project Name: VAGTEERA Floating Half Earth Retail Space
Space Design: Suzhou Feijie Inspiration Design Co., Ltd
Design Year: May 2021
Completion Year: October 2021
Owner: Floating Half Earth
Lead Designers: Hu Yanxin, Xu Guangquan
Photography: Independent Photographer: Glue
Location: Debi WE International Cultural and Art Center, Gusu District, Suzhou
Construction: Suzhou Qingchenjia Building Decoration Co., Ltd
Building Area: 240 m²
Materials: Terrazzo, textured paint, mirror stainless steel, aluminum-plastic panels, frosted acrylic, tempered glass
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