STEPS architecture's red dot design museum nestles within shopping mall in china

Red Dot Design Museum by STEPS Architecture stands in Xiamen

Located within the commercial podium of Xinglin Bay’s highest office building in Jimei District, Xiamen, China, Red Dot Design Museum by STEPS Architecture repurposes the spatial attributes of a shopping mall, revitalizing this previously vacant space.

Utilizing the existing commercial facade showcases as platforms for museum posters, the exterior plaza and bridge are adorned with a series of red elements, including poster installations, column and railing paint, alphabetical seating, and canopy, guiding visitors to the museum entrance and infusing the city with dashes of vibrant red.

Inspired by consumer culture and the evolving nature of museum spaces, the Red Dot Design Museum in Xiamen departs from traditional museum design paradigms. Rather than adopting a conventional white-box approach, the museum blurs the boundaries between museum and shopping mall spatial systems. Drawing from the concept of creating free public spaces in urban consumer environments, the museum aims to provide a wandering experience akin to strolling through a shopping mall.

all images by CreatAR Images – Ai Qing

STEPS Architecture merges museum and retail design

Collaborating with Network Party, the design team at STEPS Architecture maximizes the interior spatial potential of the museum’s commercial podium, incorporating retail spaces, coffee shops, and restaurants. The atrium, transformed into a striking double-spiral red stair, serves as the visual centerpiece. The stairway features LED screens displaying posters and videos, captivating both onsite and online audiences.

With an emphasis on flexibility and openness, the museum adopts strategies to dissolve the distinction between exhibition halls and other spaces, fostering a seamless, integrated experience. Showcase-lined corridors and prefabricated boundaries replace traditional walls, offering versatile exhibition spaces and facilitating efficient construction processes.

Looking toward the future, the museum not only focuses on planning, design, and construction but also plays a pivotal role in future operations and exhibition design in the area. As a hub for design education, the Red Dot Design Museum provides spaces for sessions, forums, and conferences, nurturing the next generation of designers. Dedicated spaces for children, featuring interactive exhibitions and educational activities, further enrich the museum’s offerings, blending learning with enjoyment.

Red Dot Design Museum repurposes a shopping mall space, breathing new life into its surroundings

exterior plaza and bridge feature vibrant red elements, guiding visitors inside the museum

the project blurs boundaries between museum and shopping mall spaces

STEPS Architecture transforms the museum’s interior, integrating a striking double-spiral red staircase

the museum offers spaces for sessions, forums, and conferences, nurturing the next generation of designers

Red Dot Design Museum repurposes commercial spaces into dynamic cultural hubs

the design blurs the lines between traditional museum experiences and contemporary consumer environments

LED screens and dynamic displays enhance the museum experience, providing visitors with immersive visuals

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project info:

name: Red Dot Design Museum · Xiamen
architect: STEPS Architecture

lead designer: Wu Yu, Ji Zixiao

design team: Cai Kai (Network Party), Li Chenshu (Network Party), Chen Yanping (Network Party), Zeng Tian (Network Party), Zhao Yueming, Li Tao, Zhao Hui, Pan Congjian, Zhu Baoli, Zhang Hailong, Liu Xing, Wang Kaiping, Cheng Guangxiao, Yan Ruiqi, Liu Yu, Sadiq, Wang Bo, Shi Luhang, Li Chunrong

lighting design: Lumia Lab

wayfinding design: out.o studio

multi-media design: Network Party

millwork design: STEPS Architecture, Network Party

exhibition design: STEPS Architecture, Network Party, Weitian Design

client: Design China ltd.

gross built area: 8,000 sqm

location: Chengyi International Business Center, No. 502, Xinglinwan Road, Jimei District, Xiamen, Fujian, China

photography: CreatAR Images – Ai Qing | @creatarimages

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom