The Simple Design Archive, located in Anhui, China, is a distinctive retail space showcasing Northern European furniture. Inspired by the natural beauty of Anhui’s Huangshan Mountain, architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee of HAS Design and Research have created a space that blends architecture with nature to foster tranquility.

Unlike conventional retail spaces fully open to the front, the entrance is designed with nearly ten curved walls that block external noise, forming an echo chamber courtyard. This calming space, enriched with fragrant greenery, attracts local wildlife and offers visitors a peaceful, immersive retail experience. Inside, the curved walls continue the flow from the exterior, guiding visitors through a retail gallery and furniture collection space, all illuminated by natural light from skylights and seasonal gardens.

These continuous walls also function as storage and display areas, enhancing the retail experience. This architectural approach not only displays furniture but also offers a spiritual escape, merging retail, nature, and design into a harmonious sanctuary within a bustling urban environment. This transcends the limitations of the architectural site, bringing a fresh impression of life to both the city and its users.

Photography: W Workspace