Showni: A Unique Clothing Boutique Design by Nianwei Zhu

Creating a Captivating Space to Showcase Fashion

Showni, a combination of the English word "Show" and the Chinese character "Ni" (you), represents the owner's commitment to staying true to their original inspiration and pursuing their dreams. The designer believes that each space has its own unique story to tell and serves as an independent entity and carrier.

The design of Showni incorporates large French windows at the facade to bring in ample natural light, creating a welcoming environment for customers. The half-moon-shaped doorway breaks away from the regular square pattern of neighboring shops, drawing attention from the public. Inside the boutique, an arc structure with irregular curves is created in the central area, transforming the conventional rectangular space and enhancing the spatial atmosphere. Function partitioning is achieved through the use of block insertion and visually appealing curves.

The 108 sqm boutique is divided into different areas to optimize the customer experience. The first indoor space includes the reception area, bar area, and lobby. The central area serves as the display area for key products, while the rear half of the space houses auxiliary functional areas such as small decorations display, locker rooms, and toilets. Clothing display spaces are located on the left and right sides, with staggered opposite door openings and light strips and colors used to highlight and differentiate the display attributes.

The design of Showni started in March 2019 and was completed in May 2019 in Suzhou. Throughout the design process, the team faced various challenges, including the use of curved surface modeling and irregular red line design and fixation. However, their creativity and perseverance resulted in a simple, graceful, modern, and perfect presentation that exceeded the owner's expectations.

"Showni" is a testament to the team's commitment to remaining true to their original aspirations and mission. The aim of the project was to make the boutique stand out in a busy shopping street, and this was achieved through sculptural partitions, a high-contrast color scheme, optimized display surfaces, and clever design elements. The result is a captivating interior that showcases clothing as the centerpiece while providing a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience.

This exceptional design has been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2021. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, resourcefulness, and technical skills, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.