AIM architecture’s flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing

aim architecture craves a cantilevered canopy extending zara's flagship store into the public realm of xinjiekou district in nanjing.

christina vergopoulou May 8, 2025 5 min

AIM Architecture Designs Immersive Urban interface for ZARA

AIM Architecture leads the design of ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store, introducing a new approach to fashion retail architecture in China. The project rethinks the flagship typology through spatial integration, fluid circulation, and interaction with the urban environment. The building’s exterior carves undulating facade features and a cantilevered canopy that extends into the public realm. These elements create continuity between the store and the adjacent streetscape, forming a direct connection with pedestrian flows and surrounding activity. A giant reflective sphere anchors the exterior, a dynamic gesture that asserts the building’s presence along the streetscape. The entrance plaza is conceived as an extension of this engagement, encouraging interaction beyond the boundaries of the store’s interior.

Internally, the layout is organized to support a multi-layered circulation experience. A red-brick staircase functions as both a structural and programmatic element, offering seating, product display, and transitional space. This central stairway connects the various levels and visually anchors the store within the surrounding context. Adjacent to this element is Zacaffè specialty coffee shop, contributing to the multifunctional nature of the space.

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 1 — all images by Seth Powers unless stated otherwise | image courtesy of ZARA

Transparency and Layered zones define ZARA’s Flagship store

AIM Architecture’s design team organizes the entrance level around a double-height volume that allows for flexible use, including installations, brand storytelling, and collaborative events. This spatial anchor supports various configurations and content activations without altering the architectural framework. The design incorporates ZARA’s back-of-house systems visibly within the architectural language. A glazed wall reveals the automated clothing transport system, integrating logistics with the spatial and visual experience. This approach prioritizes operational efficiency while maintaining openness and transparency in the customer environment.

Material selections include exposed structural columns, polished concrete flooring, and a concrete cassette ceiling system. These elements establish a neutral yet robust framework for varied retail experiences. Ground-level retail areas include ZARA Salon, a smaller-scale setting for curated displays and tailored service. The upper floor accommodates more flexible, youth-oriented zones, where varied material applications suggest informality and experimentation. Digital integration is embedded through interactive features, including a professional-grade, bookable photo booth, ‘Zara Fit Check,’ which provides users with high-resolution imagery and digital engagement.

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 2 — undulating facade elements establish a flowing visual identity along the street front | image courtesy of ZARA

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 3 — a cantilevered canopy extends the store into the public realm, merging retail and urban space

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 4 — the entrance plaza acts as a spatial threshold between city life and interior retail

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 5 — public interaction is encouraged through architectural gestures that blur indoor-outdoor boundaries

zara-nanjing-xinjiekou-china-flagship-store-aim-architecture-designboom-1800-5 — double-height entrance volume creates a flexible platform for storytelling and brand events

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 6 — the facade design connects the building with pedestrian street activity

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 7 — a red-brick staircase doubles as seating, display, and a central connector between floors

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 8 — retail circulation is layered and interconnected across multiple levels

zara-nanjing-xinjiekou-china-flagship-store-aim-architecture-designboom-1800-12 — the staircase’s materiality echoes Nanjing’s architectural heritage within a contemporary framework

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 9 — the staircase integrates seating, display, and circulation

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 10 — multi-layered circulation shapes the internal layout

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 11 — material contrasts reflect a balance between efficiency and spatial experimentation

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 12 — exposed columns and polished concrete floors define the material palette

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 13 — configurable spatial zones allow for seasonal installations and collaborative activations

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 14 — the concrete cassette ceiling provides visual structure and acoustic modulation

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 15 — exposed columns and polished concrete floors define a clear architectural language

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 16 — ground-level retail includes ZARA Salon, designed for curated, intimate customer experiences

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 17 — embedded technology bridges physical retail and online engagement

AIM architecture's flowing curved facade shapes ZARA flagship store in nanjing - 18 — upper-level areas explore youthful energy through varied textures and finishes

zara-nanjing-xinjiekou-china-flagship-store-aim-architecture-designboom-1800-53 — second floor shoes & bags

first floor ZARA Woman first floor ZARA Woman first floor ZARA Woman first ZARA salon first floor ZARA Woman first floor ZARA Woman first floor ZARA Woman first floor ZARA Man second floor ZARA Woman first floor ZARA Man first floor showroom first floor showroom first floor showroom second floor circular detail second floor circular detail second floor digital second floor digital second floor digital second floor ZARA Woman second floor ZARA Man second floor ZARA Man second floor ceiling detail second floor shoes & bags second floor shoes & bags second floor shoes & bags | image courtesy of ZARA second floor shoes & bags | image courtesy of ZARA second floor fitting rooms | image courtesy of ZARA second floor fitting rooms second floor fitting rooms | image courtesy of ZARA second floor fitting rooms | image courtesy of ZARA second floor fitting rooms | image courtesy of ZARA first floor ZARA salon first floor ZARA salon | image courtesy of ZARA first floor ZARA salon | image courtesy of ZARA first floor ZARA salon | image courtesy of ZARA forum stairs forum stairs forum stairs ZARA fitcheck ZARA fitcheck | image courtesy of ZARA ZARA fitcheck plaza plaza plan 1 plan 2

project info:

name: ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store

architect: AIM Architecture | @aimarchitecture

location: Xinjiekou, Nanjing, China

ground floor area: 3450 sqm

client: ZARA Commercial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd | @zara

facade design, interior design, FF&E design, signage design, landscape design: AIM Architecture

design principals: Wendy Saunders, Vincent de Graaf

project manager: Marta Pozo, Sacha Silva

project architect: Ewa Szajda

design team: Alba Galan, Davide Signorato, Emilio Wang, Gabrielle Liu, Guanlin Li, Haochen Yang, Jerry Guo, Song Jie, Kang Jin, Junger Xia, Kexin Gao, Mia Lei, Nora Liu, Victor Mongin, Wei Zheng, Weisha Dai, Qianqian Bao, Xiao Wen, Zhang Yi, Zhao Na

visualization: JIAO Yan

detailed construction drawing design: AIM Architecture

general contractor: Shanghai Choyoin Construction Group Co.,Ltd

facade contractor: Caamaño Asia (KunShan) Furniture and Complements Co., Ltd.(glass)/ Shanghai Choyoin Construction Group Co., Ltd

structural engineer & facade consultant: bespoke. Sur-Mesure Engineering Studio

furniture: Caamaño Asia (KunShan) Furniture and Complements Co., Ltd.
lighting supplier: Fagerhult
audiovisual supplier: Inusual Comunicación Innovadora / ICI Technology Shenzhen Ltd.

Zacaffè design: Art Recherche Industrie

digital experience: Bagel Affairs

main materials: concrete, brick, solid wood, stainless steel, natural stone, ultra clear glass
photographer: Seth Powers | @sethpowersphoto, ZARA