Lighting plays a critical role in spatial design.
Depending on the function of each area, variations in color temperature, brightness, and intensity can dramatically influence the overall atmosphere. For designers, lighting is not just one of many elements—it is often one of the most important, and likely the most carefully considered.
In the TNHLAB "Barrel" project, executed by Niiiz Design Lab, lighting was treated as a core design component. Barrel is a brand focused on indoor swimwear, which required a different lighting strategy than what is typically used in general fashion retail environments.
Whereas most retail spaces prioritize high ambient lighting to showcase product color and material fidelity, or use spotlighting to emphasize displays, Barrel took the opposite approach. We intentionally reduced the general ambient lighting across the space to create a softer, more intimate atmosphere.
Instead, we intensified the lighting inside the large-scale fitting rooms, allowing customers to comfortably try on products and clearly assess color and material in a more private setting.
The layout was designed to naturally guide customers to the fitting areas with products in hand, emphasizing tactile engagement in a calm lighting environment. To achieve this low-illumination effect, we avoided standard ceiling-mounted fixtures. Instead, we installed indirect lighting within a long sculptural structure along an entire wall.
This wall, made of semi-translucent blue acrylic, reflects the brand’s concept “in your swimming pool.” It was designed to give visitors the feeling of being immersed in a private underwater space, with the lighting subtly glowing through the surface.
The ceiling finish was also designed in alignment with both the lighting concept and overall spatial narrative. We used three-dimensional wave-patterned stainless steel panels on the ceiling, leveraging their high reflectivity to visually expand the space and compensate for the low ceiling height, while also supporting indirect lighting.
Just like the acrylic wall, the ceiling evokes the sensation of being submerged underwater. In contrast, the flooring was designed to minimize reflectivity. We applied matte-finish mosaic tiles, reminiscent of pool tiles, to absorb rather than reflect light from above and around.
To enhance immersion, we eliminated visible boundaries between the walls and floor by seamlessly curving the surface with a continuous material finish.
Overall, the Barrel space is a harmonious blend of lighting and design strategy, tailored for a compact footprint and low ceiling height. It supports the swimwear category by offering a private, emotionally resonant shopping experience, while maintaining a cohesive, concept-driven design language
TNH Lab_Barrel
Niiiz Design Lab
Gold
Gold
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1 / 10

Paolo Torri
Exhibition Design Manager
at Pedrali
8.5
8
8.5
7.5
8.13

Peter Greenberg
Partner
at Ester Bruzkus Architekten
The idea of making a store for swim...
8.5
8
9
7.5
8.25

Ina Nikolova
Partner & Senior Project Manager
at Kinzo Architekten
8.5
8
9
7.5
8.25

Paolo Torri
Exhibition Design Manager
at Pedrali
9
8
8.5
7.5
8.25

Peter Greenberg
Partner
at Ester Bruzkus Architekten
The contrast between the relatively...
8
8
9
6.5
7.88

Ina Nikolova
Partner & Senior Project Manager
at Kinzo Architekten
8.5
8
8.5
7.5
8.13
Designer
Client
TNH
Floor area
112 ㎡
Completion
2024