A new Tiffany & Co. boutique has opened in Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun commercial district. Designed by MVRDV, the building uses light, movement and subtle materials to create a façade resembling a glass sculpture. It is architecture that appeals to the senses and changes with the observer’s perspective.
Inspiration captured in form
The designers drew on motifs familiar from Elsa Peretti’s jewellery designs. The fluid lines and soft edges known from her iconic designs have been translated here to an urban scale. The result is a new formal motif in the series of Tiffany & Co. boutiques designed by MVRDV. Each of these projects explores different material and spatial solutions, with the Beijing facility introducing a distinct three-dimensional accent.
The Tiffany & Co. boutique and its façade
The building, located at a busy intersection in the northern part of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, is framed by vertical, translucent glass ribs. These elements run the entire height of the four storeys, organising the structure and giving it rhythm. The delicate curves of the edges make the façade appear light, and its appearance changes depending on the viewing angle and time of day.
Light as a material
The layered arrangement of densely spaced ribs intensifies the play of light. The rays penetrating the frosted glass and the reflections on its surface create a changing visual composition. When walking along the façade, you can see fragments of the jewellery display, shimmering between successive planes of glass, creating a discreet dialogue between the street and the interior.
Night-time reveal in shades of blue
After dark, the façade takes on a completely new look. The glass, chosen for its natural bluish hue, is illuminated with Tiffany Blue®. Its glow spreads softly, creating a diffused glow. The light sources are hidden in specially designed holders, so that the technical elements do not interfere with the visual purity of the boutique’s overall composition.
Tiffany & Co. boutique with the future in mind
An important aspect of the design is its environmental responsibility. The glass ribs are made from recycled and locally sourced material. The entire façade has been designed as a demountable structure. Individual elements can be removed without damage, paving the way for reuse or recycling at the end of the building’s life.
Source: MVRDV
Photos: Tiffany & Co.
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