Arc’teryx Chongqing Star Light 68 Plaza Store

Where Mountains Meet Heritage

As a contemporary interpretation of Arc’teryx’s alpine spirit, Chongqing Star Light 68 Plaza store takes "mountain ranges" as its narrative core, innovatively blending the grandeur of Canada’s coastal mountains with Chongqing’s local mountain-city culture and intangible heritage craftsmanship. The result is an immersive retail space that bridges nature, culture, and urban life.

1. Localized Translation of Mountain-Inspired Facade

The store’s exterior features a striking three-dimensional rock texture, echoing both the primal force of North America’s 1,600-kilometer coastal mountains—the birthplace of Arc’teryx—and the undulating terrain of Chongqing’s iconic "mountain city" landscape. A door handle shaped like a mountain ridge instantly immerses visitors in the brand’s alpine DNA.

2. Contemporary Revival of Heritage Ceramic Craftsmanship

In collaboration with Tushan Town’s intangible heritage artisans, the project reinterprets Song Dynasty black-glazed ceramic revival techniques, transforming the natural gradients of kiln-fired glaze into mountainous textures on the store’s massive stone walls. This design metaphorically mirrors the glacial erosion patterns of Squamish’s peaks while drawing inspiration from Chongqing’s Yin Tiaoling National Nature Reserve, achieving a cross-cultural symbiosis between local craftsmanship and the brand’s global ethos.

3. A Dialogue with Nature in Spatial Design

The interior keeps it simple with natural materials—stone, wood, and metal—to create an alpine feel. Thoughtful details like climbing rope displays, a mountain-shaped front desk, and rugged peak imagery reflect the brand’s essence. Upstairs, a clean-lined timeline of Arc’teryx’s history encourages visitors to reflect on the spirit of adventure.

4. A Multi-Sensory Journey of Discovery

From the visual impact of the colossal ceramic mountain wall to the tactile richness of heritage-glazed textures, the space employs materials, lighting, and spatial flow to transport urban visitors into a meditative realm where "mountains refine the self." The revitalization of intangible heritage crafts ensures that each visit becomes a dual exploration of cultural preservation and reverence for nature.