DOE Goes Out of the Box

Conceptualised by B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio, the Shenzhen outpost of streetwear brand DOE features a series of boxes within a glass-fronted space that eschews any distinction between streetscape and store

UpperHills, a hillside mixed-use development in Shenzhen’s Futian district, is home to the latest outpost of Shanghai streetwear brand DOE. The idea for the space, conceptualised by architects Shuhei Aoyama, Yoko Fujii and Lingzi Liu of Beijing-based B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio, was to bring nature into the interior space. Based on this idea, the interior design develops a dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces. For example, the metal flooring, which starts outside and continues inside the store, works with the open glass facade to completely connect the interior space to the streetscape.

The 300-square-metre space is divided into various functional areas — including a cafe, retail area and rest area — that are designed as boxes of differing sizes. Product display areas surround a pyramid of stairs fabricated in reclaimed wood. The showcase areas made from steel and acrylic break the boundary of the ‘boxes’ with their more open design, while a rotating box in the centre of the store is a focal point. This deft combination of warm, textural materials not only reflects the richness of the store’s urban context, but also reflects the streetwear brand’s culture. 

Text / Suzy Annetta
Images / Xia Zhi