DESCENTE BLANC Beijing

DESCENTE BLANC Beijing

2020
Taikoo Li Sanlitun North
Beijing

Architect: NAGASAKA Jo (Schemata Architects)
Design supervision: Code-a-Machine (MASUI Shinichiro)

  • Management/Coordination

Design Supervision of DESCENTE BLANC Beijing

With Descente Blanc’s expansion into China, Masui Shinichiro oversaw design management for the brand’s Beijing store. At the request of Nagasaka Jo, who has designed Descente Blanc stores for many years, Masui provided comprehensive support—including on-site communication in Beijing and assistance with structural calculations. Bridging cultural differences, he not only conveyed the designer’s intentions to contractors but also handled the procurement of materials and components in China, as well as blueprint management, thereby contributing to the project’s success.

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Descente Blanc opened its first store in Beijing as part of its entry into the Chinese market. Spanning a spacious 290㎡, the store follows the brand’s signature design in which garments are suspended from the ceiling and lowered to customers. The inventory is stored above visitors’ heads, creating the impression of a single, large-scale installation. 

To realize this distinctive approach, Masui Shinichiro oversaw design management. Attentive to cultural differences, he not only conveyed the designer’s intentions to the client / the construction team but also supported the design’s materialization by assessing which materials and components could be sourced locally. In addition, he provided comprehensive assistance with design-related tasks, including blueprint management and support for structural calculations. 

By bridging the designer and the construction site while also fine-tuning the design aspects, Masui contributed significantly to the creation of this flagship store, which serves as Descente Blanc’s first foothold in its expansion into China.

NAGASAKA Jo

1971 Born in Osaka

1998 Graduated from The University of Arts Tokyo, Department of Architecture

1998 Founded Schemata Architects

Selected Works

2019 “Furniture for Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo”, Tokyo

2015 “Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Roastery & Cafe”, Tokyo

2011 “HANARE”, Tokyo

2008 “SAYAMA FLAT”, Saitama

Selected Award

2013 JCD Award, Gold Prize (for TAKEO KIKUCHI Shibuya Omote-sando Flagship Store) / Silver Prize

(for PAPABUBBLE Daimaru Tokyo)

2008 5th International Bauhaus Award, 2nd place (SAYAMA FLAT)