Harmay Store

Harmay- a famous cosmetics store in China,The cave of light was built on a mountainous terrain and set on the Yangtze river, Chongqing is a unique city.

Steep height differences, winding streets, public spaces and buildings connect multitiered terrains creating exciting spatial experiences and unconventional underground spaces. This site, in the heart of the city, is a tired shopping-mall but magically intertwined with a sloped public plaza. The interior space is set underground, with minimal contact to the outside world connecting both ends of this Cathay mall.

This small building sits on the edge of the square, inviting people to gather there. With its warm and energetic color, a contrast within its environment and at the same time marking the entrance to the retail experience below.

Use linear LED lamps and point inground lighting, To work with this unique spatial setting we explored typologies of underground structures within the local context. Chongqing’s historic air-raid shelters — connecting every corner of the city during World War II — led to this geometric vaulted space. Descending and stepping into this underground space, It's impact is not only visual. The length and shape of the space creates a unique feeling within this man-made lighting tunnel.

The large-scale use of the red color represents Chongqing, using this also inside not only brings a mysterious lighting effects. But also greatly enhances the continuity of the facades on both sides of the shopping mall.

Inspired by the factories hidden in the air raid shelters, the mechanical feeling of the giant conveyor belt, the generators and the multitude of industrial apparatus in the space creates a sense of conflict with the rough texture of the cave,Combined with modern lighgting design bringing a strong visual experience to customers.