gentle monster blends retail, exhibition & experimental spaces in haus shanghai

haus shanghai encompasses more than a commercial experience by delivering a provocative cultural approach, which continues with gentle monster's evolution.

juliana neira October 2, 2021 3 min

GENTLE MONSTER OPENS ITS SECOND ‘HAUS’ IN SHANGHAI

gentle monster continues to redefine the idea of conventional commercial spaces with their new store in shanghai. dubbed haus shanghai, the new vision encompasses more than a commercial experience by delivering a provocative cultural approach which continues with the brand’s evolution, blending retail, exhibition and experimentation spaces.

encompassing a total of 3,270 square meters divided among four floors, the complex features gentle monster’s largest store to date, together with its fragrance brand tamburin and their surreal dessert brand called nudake.

HAUS SHANGHAI IS A MULTIBRAND CONCEPT STORE BY GENTLE MONSTER

following haus dossan in seoul (read more on designboom here), gentle monster has opened its second flagship store — haus shanghai. here visitors are welcomed by the brand’s signature the probe – a six-legged walking robot which has been created by their own robotic lab. the tarantula-like automaton is joined by an installation of horses with mechanical tails that move from side to side, which capture nudake’s spirit of experimentation and fantasy. the food and beverage experience is enhanced through the addition of collage media art and monochromatic furniture that contrasts with warm wood tones.

ART, DESIGN AND RETAIL ARE COMBINED INTO AN EXPERIMENTAL & PROVOCATIVE EXPERIENCE

on the second floor, visitors encounter gentle monster’s largest store to date. a blue interior mixed with oversized pictures and tenacious artworks create an unexpected circulation inside the space. and in fact, gentle monster defies the traditional layouts of commercial spaces which prioritize efficiency and function by exemplifying here their idea of what retail should be in the future. aptly called circulation, the theme of the space brings together different installations and artworks that result in both visual and auditory stimulations, which create tension and rhythm throughout the space.

gentle monster blends retail, exhibition & experimental spaces in haus shanghai - 1 — the probe robot, a six-legged walking robot welcomes visitors

the third floor has been dedicated to a large exhibition space featuring the brand’s curated media art exhibitions and collaboration pop-ups. set within the center of the floor, a gigantic robot face expands the giant who arrived at the bird village theme. the somehow eerie oversize face robot sculpture depicts the bird village together with other sculptures and installations.

the fourth and last floor contains china’s first tamburin’s flagship store, which expresses elegance and individuality through the delicate balance of spatial elements while capturing the brand’s artistic vision. for example, twig — a wall installation made of tree branches — recalls the intersection between rawness and luxury that the brand portrays through the contrast of materials.