Toby's Home: A Unique Architectural Interpretation

Chris Precht's Award-Winning Design Transforms a Toy Store into a Forest

Chris Precht was tasked with creating an architectural interpretation of Toby’s environment that would appeal to both children and adults. The result is a space that is not just a store, but also a café and a public area for lectures or games. The design was inspired by the way a seedling might perceive the natural environment, resulting in the transformation of trees into large arches that define different areas within the space.

The arches in the design serve multiple purposes. They open up the space for visitors, allowing them to look through and see the products on display. They also create a contrast of solid and light, closed and open, dense and wide areas, resulting in an interesting atmosphere of spaces and light. This forest-like environment offers a unique shopping and socializing experience for visitors.

'Toby’s Home' is located in a large commercial compound in Beijing. The project started in October 2014 and was completed in April 2015. The store opened its doors to the public in June 2015. The design team included Chris Precht, Dayong Sun, Xue Bai, He Quan, Pengchong Li, and Gang Wang.

The design of 'Toby’s Home' has been recognized for its uniqueness and innovation. It was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2016. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, 'Toby’s Home' is a testament to the power of innovative design. It is a space that not only serves its function as a store but also provides an engaging and unique environment for visitors. The design's recognition with a prestigious award further underscores its uniqueness and the talent of Chris Precht and his team.