Cabana Guangdong Gemini Stores Cabana大湾区双店

The Cabana Guangzhou Parc Central Store and Shenzhen Luohu Mixc Store are twin flowers of Cabana Furniture in the Dawan District. The design of both stores features a key element known as the “box of surprise” to connect a series of exhibition spaces with different atmospheres.

The “box of surprise” conceptualises a complex of architectural blocks of different styles and materials. In the stores, these architectural blocks function as a substitute for partition walls to define a flowing space. In the “boxes”, furniture and lighting are displayed to recreate the environment and atmosphere of a real home. Through these boxes, the space is divided into “interior” and “exterior”. By exploring both the inside and outside of the boxes, visitors will experience a richly layered exhibit.

The layouts of the two stores are different, hence the organization of the boxes in these two locations, and their relationship with the surrounding environment are different.

Cabana Guangzhou Tianhuan Store is located on the underground level of Parc Central in the heart of Guangzhou, with a gently spreading floor plan covering 890 square meters. The boxes are arranged in a staggered manner, simulating scenes of alleys, squares and dwellings. Inside the boxes are relatively static furniture display areas, while between the boxes form either narrow or wide-open flowing loops, unfolding a continuous path for customers to explore, encouraging them to keep moving to the next section. The thoughtfully curated furniture can be either found in the boxes in a contextual layout, or scattered in different forms of groups in the outside space between the boxes, bringing a visiting experience full of surprises.

On the other hand, Cabana Shenzhen Wanxiangcheng Store is a two-storey roadside store. The ground floor is only 110 square meters, with a deep depth and a narrow width; the second floor is slightly larger, but with an expanse of 420 square meters, it is barely half the size of the Guangzhou store. In addition to the staircase connected to the ground floor, there is a second entrance leading to the atrium on the second floor. On the ground floor, the three “boxes” are conjoined as an ” entrance hall – foyer – living room” situation in a residential space. They correspond to different selling areas. The rhythm of different sections lessens the sense of depth of the unconventional space. The varies materials, such as light-colored grainy paint, dark cherry wood niches and Glamora exotic patterned wallpaper, contribute to the colourful mood of the different areas. In the middle “foyer” area, a sculptural staircase leads visitors upward to the main exhibition area on the second floor. Here, the boxes are integrated in a manner similar to that of the Guangzhou store, except that they are closer to each other with a tighter rhythm. The areas between the staircase and the entrance of the atrium are either open or enclosed, connecting groups of furniture settings like a chain of pearls. The experience of shifting views while walking makes one feel like wandering through gardens.

In both projects, materials are one of the most important factors. The choice of materials is based on the modernist aesthetics of the mid-twentieth century. Foundational materials such as colored marble, tile, brick, concrete, and textured paint are contrasted with soft materials such as textiles, textured glass, and wood. Different moods are attributed to the various styles of boxes and the exterior spaces between them, creating a dynamic dialogue with the extensive display of furniture.