Colour-Changing Aluminium Façade Defines Urban Revivo’s Beijing Flagship

MVRDV has completed the new flagship store for fashion retailer Urban Revivo in Beijing’s Sanlitun district. The 4,120 m² retail project combines contemporary materials with references to the city’s architectural heritage. Key material features include an aluminium façade with a dichroic coating, grey brick finishes and themed interior spaces featuring recycled textiles.

Aluminium Façade References Traditional Roof Tiles

Founded in 2006, Urban Revivo now operates more than 380 stores worldwide. Its latest flagship occupies a prominent location on Sanlitun West Street. The street connects the two sections of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, one of Beijing’s main shopping districts.

MVRDV designed the building to combine the retailer’s international identity with references to Beijing’s architectural context. The façade consists of suspended aluminium tiles and tubes inspired by traditional Chinese roof tiles. The team finished these aluminium elements in the brand’s signature blue and applied a dichroic coating. As a result, the façade changes appearance depending on the viewing angle, shifting between blue and purple.

The façade projects outwards in selected areas to create a three-dimensional surface. Consequently, it produces changing shadows and reflections throughout the day. Seven circular openings, inspired by traditional Chinese moon gates, serve as display windows. They also provide views into the interior.

Interior Materials Draw on Local Context

Inside, the designers use grey brick extensively. The material references the masonry of Beijing’s historic hutong neighbourhoods while creating a neutral setting for the retail displays.

Each floor introduces a different architectural language and material palette. The circular openings on the ground floor gradually evolve into arches, rounded rectangles and inverted curves on the upper levels.

Meanwhile, the finishes also change from floor to floor. The first floor combines reflective surfaces with blue furniture. The second floor introduces darker finishes. Finally, the top floor uses velvet upholstery and cobalt blue accents for the private shopping area.

Themed Spaces Explore Different Material Applications

Six themed “Bold Rooms” display selected collections throughout the store. Each room explores a different combination of materials.

For example, the Soft Room features upholstered wall cushions, while the Playful Room incorporates blocks made from recycled fabric. In addition, the Urban Room uses reflective wall and floor finishes. The Daring Room contains timber display boxes, whereas the Unexpected Room features interchangeable fabric curtains that can accommodate different collections or installations by local artists. The Avant-Garde Rooms incorporate glass display cases around two internal atriums.

MVRDV also designed many of the store’s interior elements, including the signage and clothing display systems. Together, these elements create a consistent material and spatial language throughout the project. The store demonstrates how contemporary materials and local architectural references can be be combined in a retail environment.

Source: MVRDV
Photos: Wen Studio / Urban Revivo