Located on the ground floor of the Yintai Centre in the CBD of Beijing, inSports is a high-end multifunctional social venue with ski and snowboard simulators, a sports area and dance club, all shaped in a white mountain landscape under a warm golden sky. Projections on floor and walls create a wide array of simulated environments. During the night the area is turned into a dance club. inSports follows a new trend in Chinese retail where live action and participation become an integral part of the retail experience.

Intrigued by the virtual aspect of the skiing, the design team created the concept of a digital summit scenery. Large triangles on a variety of platforms visualise mountains that organise the multifunctional area in a natural yet fluent way.

The mountain landscape is constructed in white Corian, which forms a harmonious contrast with the light grey sports floor and the golden anodised aluminium ceiling panels. The bold interior columns are cladded in large mirror panels making the structure disappear. A softer edge is given to the space with dark fabric panels, which cover the walls and improve the acoustics of the space. The bar and reception desk are both a combination of golden triangles and frosty white marble. A snowlike gradient covers the facade, and creates a beautiful and soft winter feeling for this cool new venue in China’s capital city.