In August of last year, we undertook the spatial design project for the brand Songmont in the coastal city of Qingdao, where numerous waters converge. For this project, the brand requested that we use the thread of "crossing the sea in search of stones" to capture Qingdao's urban geological memory. Through the spatial design, we aimed to trace the brand's cultural tone of "natural and self-aware," seeking the power of embracing all things between the reefs and the waves.

The store is located on the basement level of Qingdao MixC. We believe that a retail space should function more as a cultural exhibition hall for brand storytelling. Guided by the design logic of "inward exploration," we consequently created a triple-layered enveloping spatial structure for the store. Inspired by the concept of "opening a clam to discover a pearl," the space features multiple layers that create a brand communication flow from "showcase" to "experience" and finally to "immersion."

The mall's public area serves as the first "skin" of the space. The storefront eliminates conventional display windows, replacing them with large, frameless glass walls that fully open the store toward the mall. This blurs the boundary between the store and the public area, guiding the sightlines of passing consumers. As a result, it maximizes brand exposure and attracts foot traffic, allowing the energy of the city to permeate the brand's internal ecosystem.
The second spatial layer is the display and retail area. The core layout organizes a clear U-shaped retail circulation, along which the display shelves form a continuously undulating curved wall. The strong directional guidance and visual continuity created by the walls transform shopping into an orderly and rhythmic spatial exploration.
The semi-enclosed space in the core area mimics the hollow of a conch, forming an "exhibition space within an exhibition space" at the center of the store, making it the visual focus of the entire area. While people can freely enter from all directions, the varying height and shape of the curved "conch" wall naturally guide them to adjust their gait and posture as they enter the space—be it through quickening their steps, turning sideways, or lowering their heads. The structural column is also enveloped here, concealed behind the curved wall inlaid with shells, and serves as the base for fixing the LED screen. Combined with curated scents and a surround sound system, the hustle and bustle of the retail area is momentarily isolated. The atmosphere—quieter and more intimate—feels like a well-fitted bag: within this space, our bodies and minds are granted a certain form of protection.

Beyond spatial structure, the design of the spatial experience also takes into account chromatic tension, geometric contours, and material textures, blending the man-made architecture into nature. The entire space adopts soft, warm colors, while the semi-enclosed areas in darker tones create white space reminiscent of deep-sea caves, inviting closer inspection and exploration. The angular, rock-like display plinths and the fluid, curvilinear wooden display stand counterbalance each other, much like the countless encounters between reef and wave. The wall inlaid with shells appears rough and primal, while the glazed flooring is smooth as a mirror, reflecting ripple-like wavering shadows—emphasizing a contrast in tactile language.

The space consistently responds to bodily instincts in its textural interplay of raw shells and refined materials, its symbiotic relationship between artisanal warmth and industrial precision, and its delicate balance between commercial openness and spiritual intimacy. Beneath the sea breeze and surging waves, natural energy translates into architectural language, presenting a spatial experience rooted in natural symbols and sensory awakening.