Nikon Showroom, China

Founded in 1917, Nikon has been a trademark associated with professional imaging equipment for over a century. Its cameras have enabled humanity to reach all corners of the world, even in space. Yet, since the beginning of 2000s, the shift from film to digital photos, and the trend of more portable cameras have dramatically changed the industry. In 2020, with the new concept “Empower to Create”, the brand introduced its revolutionized products to the young users of the Chinese market, and engaged LUKSTUDIO to create its store identity.

The store is located at the corner of a Shikumen building on Huaihai Road, a trendy neighborhood where young people gather. Conventional camera shops are designed often either as a cultural gallery or a technological laboratory, both could be intimidating to the common shoppers. LUKSTUDIO aims to create an inviting environment where one could dream about the next outdoor adventure.

The overall retail experience has been tailored to introduce the brand, the products and the community on three separate levels, each a quadrant in plan. Given the different spatial requirements, three different scenes have been created, each with its own design attributes. The common connection is the rammed earth background mimicking Danxia landform, a natural landscape that changes colours on each levels.

The first floor is designed as a brand gallery. The combination of rammed earth backdrop and stainless-steel display parts takes inspiration from the experience of shooting in the wild, where exquisite equipment juxtaposes rustic landscape. The second floor is the touch and try area where most products are on display, visitors are encouraged to pick up a camera and try shooting with it. The dramatic ceiling is filled with mirrored stainless steel strips, extending the space upwards while adding a futurist touch. At the center of the showroom stand 4 circular booths whose reeded texture are inspired by camera lens. The top floor is an event area for users to meet and learn from each other. The original space feels claustrophobic as it comes with heavy beams and pipes. To create a space that is mind-opening, LUKSTUDIO dissolves the visual obstacles in a pitch blackness and hangs numerous lights in the void, recalling the memory of camping under a starry sky.