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Zara Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store

AIM Architecture

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Store exterior at night - ZARA
A striking cantilever canopy embraces the public space - Seth Powers
Store exterior at night - ZARA

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Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Single-Brand Store
7.31
7.81
8.06
7.44
7.66
Peter Meinders
Peter Meinders Lecturer at Saxion University of Applied Sciences
The brics and concrete are giving t...
6.5
8.5
9
7
7.75
Sarika Shetty
Sarika Shetty Partner at SJK Architects
A museum quality outcome with sophi...
7
8
8
7.5
7.63
Billy Ip
Billy Ip Principal, Global Sector Leader - Retail at Woods Bagot
nice palette and mix of material, b...
8
6.5
7
7.5
7.25
Hong-Bo Cheng
Hong-Bo Cheng Founder and Creative Designer at LubanEra·Design
6.5
7.5
6.5
7
6.88
Sam Derrick
Sam Derrick Managing Director at Brinkworth
A strong move on for Zara, some nic...
7.5
8
8.5
7
7.75
Laetitia Murguet
Laetitia Murguet Founder at Oani Studio
7.5
8.5
9
7.5
8.13
Fo Chen
Fo Chen General Manager at Guangzhou Baietan Mixc
8
7.5
8.5
8.5
8.13
Kevin Mclachlan
Kevin Mclachlan CEO at NOMADK
7.5
8
8
7.5
7.75

Authentic. Immersive. Impactful.
Located in Nanjing’s bustling Xinjiekou area, the ZARA Asia flagship store marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s fashion retail evolution. Designed by AIM Architecture, this store represents a bold flagship typology, one that is immersive, spatially dynamic, and deeply integrated into urban fabric.

A Connected and Evolving Space
The store acts as an extension of the city. A fluid architectural skin and striking cantilever canopy embraces the public space, connecting with the city and its dynamic population. The redesigned streetscape and entrance plaza extend the brand experience, welcoming passersby to engage with the store beyond shopping.

ZARA Nanjing redefines the way fashion interacts with the city, offering a fluid, multi-layered journey that blurs the boundaries between retail, public space, and cultural engagement. The design invites public interaction, weaving the rhythms of the street into the store. A new balance emerges between structure and spontaneity, efficiency and discovery, elevating the retail journey.

Where Heritage Meets the Future
The design strikes a balance between ZARA’s evolving global identity and Nanjing’s urban landscape, creating a space that is contemporary and contextually grounded. Nanjing’s cultural fabric is expressed through the red brick mountain staircase that extends outward to streetscape. This centerpiece integrates seating, product display and moments of pause, anchored by Zacaffè.

A double-height plaza at the entrance serves as the store’s spatial anchor, offering an open, flexible environment. This space acts as a platform for cultural events, enabling ZARA to further engage with the community. The automated clothing transportation system, visible through a glazed wall, further enhances efficiency, quickly processing clothing organization and allowing staff to focus on delivering exceptional service.

A Customer-Centric Experience
Materiality plays a crucial role in shaping both the sensory experience. Exposed structural columns, polished concrete floors, and a concrete cassette ceiling establish a bold yet serene architectural language, offering a strong, authentic backdrop.

The ground floor introduces ZARA Salon, an elevated, intimate space for curated selections and personalized service. The upper level embraces a youthful, experimental energy, where unexpected material combinations shape a dynamic yet refined atmosphere. Technology and digital engagement further elevate the customer journey, with a bookable, professional-grade photo booth called Zara Fit Check.

An Urban Anchor
By blurring the boundaries between retail, community, and culture, this flagship store introduced an immersive, experience-driven approach that engages customers on multiple levels. AIM’s design sets a new benchmark in retail design, positioning ZARA not only as a global leading fashion retail brand, but as an active force in shaping the urban and cultural landscape.