Maison Louis Vuitton by Jun Aoki – A New Icon in Beijing
Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun opens in Beijing as a new flagship within the city’s retail grid, designed by Jun Aoki and marking the continuation of a creative collaboration spanning more than 25 years. The façade reads as a continuous surface rather than an elevation, formed by two layers with an inner envelope for insulation and an outer skin of 315 hand curved glass panels, each irregular. Dichroic mirrors introduce chromatic shifts across the day, with reflections stretching and compressing along the curvature when seen from across the block, while at street level the surface appears porous and fluid. Formal references are explicit and deliberate, drawing on Taihu stone from classical Chinese gardens and a dress designed by Nicolas Ghesquière for Women’s Spring–Summer 2016. Aoki described the concept as simultaneously a rock and a dress, a language that carries through the entire building envelope with clarity and consistency.
Inside, the spatial organization is vertical and legible. A central atrium connects three levels of the Women’s universe. It maintains continuous visual contact with the façade, allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the interior and reinforcing the dialogue between inside and out. Circulation is carefully aligned, with staircases and escalators positioned to preserve sightlines and orientation. Retail extends across all four levels, presenting Women’s and Men’s leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, jewellery, accessories, perfumes, and beauty in a coherent sequence. The third floor introduces a dedicated Home collection zone with furniture, textiles, and tableware displayed in a quieter register. Private client lounges are positioned away from the main flow, defined by subtle material shifts and controlled lighting that support discretion without losing the architectural continuity of the space.
Le Café Louis Vuitton occupies the top floor and marks the first Louis Vuitton café in Beijing. Arrival unfolds through a mirrored vestibule before opening into the dining room, heightening the sense of transition. The bar references the proportions and detailing of the House’s trunks, translating heritage codes into contemporary interior elements. A terrace runs along the façade, partially screened by the glass envelope, offering views over Sanlitun while maintaining a degree of privacy. The café completes the building’s program by extending the brand experience beyond retail into hospitality, reinforcing the store's identity as a cultural destination rather than a conventional shop.
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