PEU à PEU Sports Store in Hangzhou, China by Sò Studio| Yellowtrace

Shanghai-based design practice Sò Studio completed the interior of PEU à PEU sports store in Hangzhou, China, conceptually inspired by the interaction that takes place on a sports field. An operational installation forms the framework of the space, imitating human stretching and movements with the order of a machine.

Comprised of a detachable installation assembled from a system of metal racks, the centrepiece serves to divide the store into different zones. Inspired by the contemporary artist Jeff Koons’ balloon series, the racks are topped by a series of shiny metal spheres. A robotic pull system that moves up and down drives the spheres to glide along the top of the racks, at once appearing calm and controlled, evoking slight tension or alertness in customers who are shopping below, similar to that experienced on a sports field.

Though safe and secure, the spheres look as if they could easily slip off. Sò Studio use their movement to evoke changes in the surrounding environment as if the bones of the store itself are active and alive. The polished and rendered concrete ceilings, walls and floor are left bare, acting in the same way that negative space does in a work of art.

Elsewhere within the interior, giant sponge-like pieces of foam are strapped to concrete structural columns, with silver metallic soccer balls wedged in-between. The designers use of straps to combine three completely different elements is a further play on tension and elasticity. Strapped to other structural columns, giant foil bags represent potato chips, with Sò Studio using the compressing straps to quite literally symbolise calories being crushed.