HUMAN UNBORED is a platform for international trendsetting art in Chengdu, China. It has two parts: the Trend Exhibition Interior in the renovated old industrial building and the 3TREES Trend Pop-up Platform in the newly built structure.
The design team at Xiao Ou Office embraced innovation by preserving and repurposing existing elements. The east facade of the 3TREES Trend Pop-up Platform incorporates existing trees into the interior, a novel approach that blurs the lines between nature and architecture. This provides a natural extension of space and enhances transparency and visual depth. The facade design, inspired by space stations, uses a combination of materials to create a sense of order and structure, with electronic screens injecting dynamic visuals that engage customers and stimulate their curiosity.
Functionality is at the core of the design. The use of large, foldable glass panels on the street-facing side maximizes natural light and opens up the interior to the public. The design addresses the challenge of connecting the old and new areas by creating a rich interface with two diagonal stair entrances, guiding traffic flow efficiently to the "Trend Exhibition Interior" on the second floor. The preservation of red brick materials for the stair surface shows homage to the site's industrial past while adding a tactile and visual richness to the space.
Drawing inspiration from the human conquest of flight, the design aims to create a space that ignites the imagination. Making full use of the existing structure, the design team use cantilever structures to build a second floor, serving as the visual centerpiece and offering a "parking apron" for customers to pause and immerse themselves in the space. The extensive use of mirror materials on the ceiling creates an illusion of weightlessness, while the aircraft wing-shaped metal handrails and irregular LED cockpit monitors add to the ultra-realistic sensory experience.
The project's eco-social impact is evident in its sustainable approach. The incorporation of live trees and the use of large glass panels for natural light reduce the building's carbon footprint. The design also fosters social interaction, with the rest area under the steel cantilevered eaves serving as a welcoming space for the community. The fitting rooms, designed with a matrix of convex lenses and brand-embedded floor mosaics, not only provide a unique selfie spot but also encourage social sharing, amplifying the project's cultural reach.
The choice of materials is integral to the design's success. The use of red bricks, glass, and metal meets functional requirements and aligns with the brand's aesthetic. The carpet and metal logo on the ground, along with the mirror materials on the ceiling, create a cohesive and immersive brand experience. The softness of fabrics against the hardness of metal and cement textures adds a layer of contrast and depth, enhancing the space's exploratory spirit.
Human Unbored
XiaoOu Office
Bronze
Bronze

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Jugal Mistri
Founder
at JMA Mumbai
6
6
6
6
6

Zhen Song
General Manager of Interior Design Department
at Wide Horizon Invest Group
Masterful use of materials has cont...
8.5
7.5
8
6
7.5

Laura Bielecki
Associate Director of Interiors
at Dubai Holding Real Estate
6.5
7
7
6.5
6.75

Adrien Ganassin
Sr. Director F&B Design & Development
at Marriott International
7.5
8
7
7
7.38

Kevin Haley
Founder and Managing Director
at Kevin Haley Studio
6.5
7
8
6.5
7

Valeria Segovia
Principal
at Gensler
7
6.5
7
7
6.88

Bani Singh
Founder and Creative Director
at Grounded Design
6.5
7
7
7
6.88

Joya Nandurdikar
Founding Partner
at Untitled Design Consultant and Furgonomics by Ud
7
7
7
6
6.75

Fernando Sordo Madaleno
Principal
at Sordo Madaleno
6
6
6
6
6

Jugal Mistri
Founder
at JMA Mumbai
6
6
7
6
6.25

Zhen Song
General Manager of Interior Design Department
at Wide Horizon Invest Group
7
7.5
7.5
6
7

Laura Bielecki
Associate Director of Interiors
at Dubai Holding Real Estate
7
7
7.5
6.5
7

Adrien Ganassin
Sr. Director F&B Design & Development
at Marriott International
7.5
7
7
7
7.13

Kevin Haley
Founder and Managing Director
at Kevin Haley Studio
6
6.5
7.5
6
6.5

Valeria Segovia
Principal
at Gensler
Difficult to see how the space is u...
6.5
6.5
7
6.5
6.63

Bani Singh
Founder and Creative Director
at Grounded Design
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5

Joya Nandurdikar
Founding Partner
at Untitled Design Consultant and Furgonomics by Ud
7.5
7
7.5
6.5
7.13

Fernando Sordo Madaleno
Principal
at Sordo Madaleno
6
6
6
6
6
Location
Designer
Client
Chengdu Fupin Brand Management
Floor area
850 ㎡
Completion
2024
Budget
3.2 Million CNY
Finishes