THE FURNITURE SHOWROOM IN CHINA WAS DESIGNED WITH THE CONCEPT ‘FLOATING ICEBERGS’ MELDING THE CONTEXT WITH THE CYCLICAL PATTERN OF FREEZING AND THAWING INTO THE SPATIAL EXPERIENCE
TEXT: WARUT DUANGKAEWKART
PHOTO: W WORKSPACE
(For Thai, press here)
Ligne Roset, the esteemed French furniture brand, has embarked on an ambitious new project by weaving together the wintry natural landscape of China with its signature European flair. This stunning fusion is the brainchild of architects from HAS design and research, culminating in a noteworthy furniture museum that tells its story through a building with its own unique atmosphere.
Founded in 1860 by Antoine Roset, Ligne Roset has become synonymous with modern luxury and innovation, familiar to many in Thailand through its widely acclaimed Togo collection. The brand consistently reflects high craftsmanship and creative thought, designed to meet user demands and push boundaries. This vision has now materialized in its latest venture—a first-of-its-kind furniture museum and an iconic showroom situated in Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
Jenchieh Hung and Kuthida Songkittipakdee from HAS design and research are steadfast in their commitment to a foundational research process that informs every stage of their design projects. In this particular project, the site’s characteristics were an immediate and potent influence. A remarkable phenomenon caught their attention: the Nanfei River, which transforms into a surreal terrain of floating ice formations resembling icebergs during the winter months, presenting a striking scene in Anhui Province. Inspired by this natural spectacle, HAS developed the ‘Floating Icebergs’ concept, melding the specific environmental conditions of the site—its cyclical freezing and thawing—with architectural creativity, resulting in a novel and contextually meaningful spatial experience.
Viewers from outside are greeted by an assembly of columns that echo the forms of ice. These are strategically arranged to construct enclosures, crafting segmented, intimate zones that replicate the textured façade of ice walls with their twists and contortions. This architectural choice cleverly shields the interior from external commotions while still permitting the interplay of light and shadow, akin to sunlight dancing through iceberg crevices. The exterior’s rugged, angular contours contrast sharply with the interior walls, which are smooth and flowing, mimicking melting ice. These walls create a serene continuity, perfectly complementing the elegant and extraordinary furniture designs by Ligne Roset.
During daylight hours, the exterior light streams through a series of ice-like columns, casting an ever-changing display of light and shadows across the interior. These light patterns shift dynamically through triangular apertures created by the juxtaposition of columns, evolving as the day progresses. By night, strategically hidden ceiling lights meld with this natural light show to cultivate a distinctive ambiance. The stark white walls serve not just as a backdrop but actively enhance the display of each furniture piece, reminiscent of art pieces within a museum setting.
Through this entire process, the design of Simple Craft Collection has redefined product display, transcending mere commercial advantages. It weaves the essence of finely crafted, modern products into a unique architectural narrative shaped by the location’s unique character. The resultant environment, hence, reveals a myriad of hidden stories, offering fresh perspectives, and moving beyond the conventional context and confines of furniture showrooms.
