HAYDON Black Hole Beauty Store, designed by Various Associates, is a captivating retail space that blends Shanghai’s Art Deco heritage with futuristic elements. The store, located in the iconic Central Plaza on Nanjing East Road, features a swirling staircase, mirrored surfaces, and a circular ceiling reminiscent of a space station, creating an immersive and engaging shopping experience.
Drawing inspiration from Shanghai’s unique blend of Eastern and Western aesthetics, Various Associates has crafted a captivating retail experience that seamlessly blends Art Deco with futuristic elements. The store, located in the iconic Central Plaza on Nanjing East Road, occupies a portion of the first and second floors, featuring a dramatic central atrium that serves as the heart of the design. 
This atrium, with its expansive circular void, forms the basis for the “circular space station” concept that defines the design. Inspired by classic science fiction films, the design incorporates elements of circular structures and radial axes to create a sense of otherworldly wonder. 
The first floor features a series of mirrored stainless steel display cabinets that ascend around the atrium, each level showcasing the store’s products with precision. Above, a fixed rhombus-shaped mirror panel with adjustable side mirrors provides customers with a multi-dimensional viewing experience. The staircase, a stunning combination of dark wood and gold mirrored columns, winds upward, featuring intricate art glass and custom-designed, openwork wooden handrails that blend Art Deco and Shanghai style.
The second floor continues the fusion of classic and futuristic elements, with a brand logo framed in dark hues that rotates gently within a circular window, evoking a sense of retro-futurism. The use of vintage green and weathered wood alongside silver stainless steel panels further amplifies this blend of styles, resulting in a dynamic and visually stimulating space. The pop-up display cabinets, inspired by the shape of streetcars, offer flexible and dynamic display options.
The HAYDON Black Hole Beauty Store is a striking example of how design can create a truly immersive and memorable retail experience. The clever blend of historical and futuristic elements, along with the innovative use of materials and space, transforms the shopping experience into an engaging journey through time.
Project Information:
Project Name: HAYDON Black Hole Beauty Store
Project Type: Commercial Space, Retail Space, Beauty Store
Project Address: 139 Nanjing East Road, Shanghai, China
Average Consumption: 583 yuan/person
Design Company: Various Associates
Lead Designer: Lin Qianyi, Yang Dongzi
Design Team: Li Shiqi, Chen Ke, Qiu Liying
Project Owner: Haydon Black Hole
Building Area: 600 square meters
Main Materials: Wood, Tile, Soft Membrane Ceiling, Mirror Stainless Steel, Art Glass, Carved Gypsum
