Arc'teryx's store at the Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin, China

What: The Canadian high-performance outerwear brand wanted to position its store as the beginning of a great adventure. Working with design studio Still Young, a symbolic 'campfire in the snow' creates a flow of interaction between people and the brand.

Why it is important: Only one-third of the space is used for sales as brand engagement is the priority.

The store is situated on a ground-floor corner that, with its blonde-wood cladding, seemingly protrudes as a separate entity from the multi-storey building. The wood's rich tan hue is an immediate visual contrast to the icy surroundings.

A circular veranda is the transition point between the exterior and interior, and a place where people can gather for a break, storing their equipment against the façade. Yellow lighting bathes the store in a welcoming glow that emanates outward. Inside, solid triangular structures punctuate the space, referencing licks of fire. The most notable is a glacier installation made from acrylic that incorporates a bar for gathering. Modular cabinetry facilitates new configurations in line with the light conditions. Meanwhile, three-dimensional folding ceiling elements and pale-hued fabric curtains simulate the sensation of being inside a tent.

In the back of the store is a mountain skills training zone dressed in dark grey stones and wooden panels. Mechanical pulleys repurposed from cable cars and a hanging fireplace make another area for customers to come together and interact.

Arc'teryx's store at the Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin, China

Arc'teryx's store at the Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin, China ARTICLE