TOTEME has opened the doors to its Beijing flagship, designed by acclaimed Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron.
TOTEME BEIJING
TOTEME has opened the doors to its Beijing flagship, designed by acclaimed Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron.
TOTEME BEIJING
TOTEME BEIJING
TOTEME has opened the doors to its Beijing flagship, designed by acclaimed Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron.
Chiselled into pleated white stone and metal, the double-story corner destination stands tall in TOTEME’s sculptural aesthetic at the heart of the Sanlitun district, an area filled with narrow alleys, elevated walkways and diverse architectural expressions.
Inside, existing shapes and proportions were emphasized to create space for a unique experience of geometric form and monochrome palettes that combines elements of Chinese and Swedish heritage.
“We wanted to create something that hadn’t been done before, that played with the architecture and space itself to communicate TOTEME’s aesthetic values in a highly evocative and immersive way.”
— Karl Lindman
“The design of the project’s exterior began with a gesture—a 15-meter-long bench that invites people to meet and linger.”
— Ascan Mergenthaler, Herzog & de Meuron
In the center, a grand staircase blends a brand totem with a Gonshi from a traditional Chinese garden. Expanding in scale and complexity as it ascends, the staircase provides moments to pause, observe and shop. At its peak, jewelry under handblown glass sits beneath a three-dimensional screen. It forms a sky above the staircase, airing films by Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman.
Throughout, TOTEME’s signature monochrome palette is layered with a light, artistic touch to create optical illusions. Floor and ceiling mirror each other in black lacquer wood texture. Ready-to-wear, set against pleated white fabric, appears to float in air alongside accessories placed on rippled glass resembling ice—a nod to TOTEME’s Scandinavian roots.
The new TOTEME flagship is now open at S6-19 South Taikoo Li Sanlitun, Beijing
