LOUIS VUITTON
2013
In 2013, March Studio was invited to contribute to an international design competition for Louis Vuitton’s flagship store in Times Square, Hong Kong. The project embraces timber sourced from sustainably managed forests as the primary structural material, forming a refined and unified yet highly legible architectural expression—one that prioritises depth, craft, and structure over surface-driven spectacle commonly associated with luxury retail.
Deployed throughout the 500-square-metre site, the timber is articulated as a space-frame structure that defines the exterior façade and entrance, then transitions seamlessly into integrated shelving, and ultimately culminates in a dramatic inverted grid-shell structure for the display of newly launched products. Referencing Louis Vuitton’s origins as a trunk- and suitcase-maker, the timber framework acts as a substructure for woven LV-branded strapping—traditionally used within LV suitcases to secure clothing in place.
Woven throughout the project, the strapping is backlit to create a dynamic, lightweight, and seemingly floating ceiling scape, while also allowing ventilation and conditioned air to pass through with ease. A complementary palette of materials, including leather—reflecting Louis Vuitton’s heritage in luggage, handbags, and footwear—and concrete, grounds the interior and reinforces a sense of permanence and craft.
The design accommodates a diverse range of retail environments, including men’s and women’s footwear, leather goods, luggage, travel accessories, ready-to-wear collections, and dedicated areas for visual merchandising.
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RETAIL
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HONG KONG, CHINA
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COMPETITION