Arc’teryx Chongqing Starlight 68 Plaza Store

Where Mountains Meet Heritage

As a contemporary interpretation of Arc’teryx’s alpine spirit, Chongqing Starlight 68 Plaza store takes "mountain ranges" as its narrative core, innovatively blending the grandeur of Canada’s coastal mountains with Chongqing’s local mountain-city culture and intangible heritage craftsmanship. The result is an immersive retail space that bridges nature, culture, and urban life.

Localized Translation of Mountain-Inspired Facade

The store’s exterior features a striking three-dimensional rock texture, echoing both the row power of North America’s 1,600-kilometer coastal mountains—the birthplace of Arc’teryx—and the undulating terrain of Chongqing’s undulating "mountain city" landscape. A door handle shaped like a mountain ridge instantly immerses visitors in the brand’s alpine DNA.

Contemporary Revival of Heritage Ceramic Craftsmanship

In collaboration with an intangible heritage inheritor from Tushan Town, the project reinterprets the black-glazed ceramic firing techniques of the Song Dynasty, transforming the natural gradients of kiln-fired glaze into mountainous textures on the store’s massive stone walls. This design metaphorically references glacial etchings from the Squamish Mountains while also drawing from the natural imagery of Chongqing’s Yintiaoling Reserve - achieving a cross-cultural symbiosis between local craftsmanship and the brand’s spirit.

A Dialogue with Nature in Spatial Design

The interior embraces minimalism through natural materials—stone, wood, and metal—to evoke a rugged alpine atmosphere. Climbing-rope display racks, a mountain-shaped service counter, and imagery of North American peaks underscore the seamless integration of function and aesthetics. On the second floor, a retrospective of the brand’s journey invites reflection on the philosophy of exploration and evolution.

A Multi-Sensory Journey of Discovery

From the visual impact of the colossal ceramic mountain wall to the tactile richness of heritage-glaze textures, the space weaves together materials, light, and spatial flow to transport urban visitors into a meditative realm where "mountains refine the self." The revitalization of intangible heritage techniques ensures that every visit becomes a dual exploration of cultural legacy and reverence for nature.