Yanfeng is an internationally leading automotive component supplier, focusing on interior, exterior, seating, electronics and safety. They invited us to design a showroom for their newly developed XiM21 Smart Cabin, to create a showcase and communication place to their customers with long-term cooperation.

To undertake this project, the first problem we face is the time limit. Considering the launch time of the new concept car, our overall design and construction period is two and a half months. Meanwhile, the launch of the new concept car will only be in use for about three months, and will be transferred to foreign auto shows, so economy considerations should also be considered. In the face of both time and cost constraints, the main challenge we faced this time was to present the brand and the design of the XiM21 new concept vehicle, as well as to bring a welcome and comfortable experience to the visitors.

Our site is a renovation based on the existing showroom. The existing space is relatively dark, the partitions divided the space into a few small theme areas. In our opinion, although the previous exhibition space was clearly divided, the exhibition circulation was one-way, the space was small and closed, which could not present the brand and product quality, and at the same time, the exhibition experience brought to customers was not good. Therefore, we removed the all the existing ceiling and partitions, and re-planned on the L-shaped site.

1.    The generation of route

Nonlinear exhibition circulation, primary and secondary two-way showroom.

We hope that visitors can choose their own route, and at the same time, the process of cognition and experience of the product is not separated by the routes. Therefore, when we choose the way of design, we begin to think about expressing the ambiguity and uncertainty of space. First of all, translucent acrylic pipe and curtain are used for partitions, “soft partition" defines the route but does not interrupt the sight. Secondly, the semi-highland platform can form an enclosed launch event space, and the line of sight of people can also glimpse a corner of the concept car through the upper part. On the line of curves that bring softness and movement, from the "parts" in the secondary exhibition zone to the "body" in the main exhibition zone, visitors can experience the design of the XiM21 concept car in an orderly and complete way.

2. The acquisition of Materials

Comfort and technology are the first recognition given to us by intelligent cars, which we hope will start at the beginning of visitors' entry into the space and will not end at the end of the exhibition route. Comfortable, the technology is the whole space atmosphere pervades the body feeling.

The soft light at the bottom of the wall diffuses into the whole space along with the transparent acrylic pipe. The upper part of the pipe is lit by the LED light at the top, and each acrylic pipe presents transparent luster. The acrylic pipe is fixed up and down by brushed stainless steel. The walls of the flowing acrylic tubes foil the exhibits, while the diffuse soft light brings people a comfortable exhibition experience.

Unlike other showroom, our space is not only used for exhibitions, but also a place for customers to rest and communicate after the event. The whole open space is free to walk and rest. Step seats, bar seats and sofa seats provide space for different groups of people to rest and communicate. After the launch event, we can open the curtain between the event area and the exhibition area, so that the space is not restricted by the route, and the whole space is open. At this moment the sense of carpet and wood floor makes the space presents like a coffee shop. There is a bar between the exhibition area, seats and plants, in which customers can comfortably talk, and a second experience of the exhibited products.

This time, we started to design from the two aspects of space circulation and the material experience. Through the mutual expression of the two, the original vision was completed. The design of "interconnection" and "transparency" embodies the design results of XiM21 concept car in an orderly and complete way. The selection of materials with a sense of technology and comfortable materials created a friendly environment for the visitors, to extend the XiM21 concept car experience from inside the car to the outside of the car.

Project information

Project Name： Yanfeng Creative Showroom

Client：Yanfeng

Interior Designer：Studio DOTCOF

Design Team：Xi Chen，Rong Li，Lan Lan, Haolai Zhuang, Guangguo Yao

Project Designer: Rong Li

MEP Designer: Mu Li

Contractor: Shanghai Luyuan Construction Decoration Engineering Co. Ltd. 

Address：No.1001 North Qinzhou Rd，Shanghai， China

Category： Interior Design – Car Showroom

GFA：600㎡

Completion Time：2020.06

Photographer：Arch-Exist

Materials and brands：Milliken Carpet, Maratti Furniture