Shanghai-based firm TOPOS Design unveils a series of stores for clothing line Mingsi using Borges’ script of the Garden of Forking Paths to create a spatial narrative extending the soft continuous curved area, producing a déjà vu-like garden labyrinth experience for various sites in different cities.
Each Mingsi House is like a bonus to the one before it, a garden labyrinth tucked away in the city that together creates the spatial memory of the brand. The garden maze layout stands in contrast to conventional fashion retail, but it is the novelty that strikes as a design starting point. The primary component of Mingsi is nano paint, and the new streamlined design tries to incorporate restrained colours to create an extensive sense of sight.
The original layout of the Qibao Vanke store is airy, with a small entrance followed by a trapezoidal extension. Centrally placed, three independent cylindrical fitting rooms ensure privacy while opening the area. The roofless cylinders serve as a lighthouse in the maze allowing the light to fall uniformly over them. The exhibition area is set up on both sides.
The gene of Mingsi 2.0 is represented by the Nanyang store, which is the landing design of their standard store system. Taking the capsule as a space prototype, a maze fragment that can be completely used in the centre or divided in half to one side, the design easily adapts to the various site configurations.
The third, Mingsi Sky Vanke, highlights a massive opening of 20 metres lengthwise, encompassing concentric arc walls with a garden of life at its centre. The circular block, a maze with endless paths and scenery, integrates with Mingsi elements like curved clothes poles, fitting mirrors, booths, stands, and greenery. The use of strip lighting improves the perspective and increases the spatial hierarchy.
In the pursuit of bringing innovative ideas to the brand’s spatial and visual settings, the store explores events, activities, and everything that takes place in space in addition to design and form. The store continually displays fascinating material and stories that constantly make waves.
