Sage Guangzhou Aranya Store Design by Say Architects
A retail space blending urban energy with natural landscapes in Guangzhou.
1Project Overview and Location
The Sage Guangzhou Aranya store, designed by Say Architects, occupies a 207-square-meter space within the Aranya development. Completed in 2026, the project serves as a retail destination that balances the site's dual identity of urban bustle and serene lake-and-mountain scenery. The design team focused on creating a holiday-like atmosphere for visitors.
2Design Philosophy and Ethos
Say Architects aimed to reconcile everyday functionality with a poetic, lived-in sensibility. The design aligns with Sage Studio’s natural and relaxed lifestyle ethos, ensuring the interior feels welcoming rather than purely commercial. By integrating playfulness into the spatial experience, the architects transformed the retail environment into a small, inviting house for holidaymakers.
3Materiality and Structural Integrity
Directness serves as the core principle for both material selection and structural arrangement within the store. The project utilized specialized ceramic production from LuosLab to achieve its unique aesthetic. Shanghai Jielu Decoration Design Engineering Co., Ltd. handled the construction, ensuring that the material choices remained consistent with the architects' vision for structural clarity.
4Architectural Team and Collaboration
Lead architects Zhang Yan and Shan Jianan spearheaded the design process, supported by team members Liu Xuan and Yu Siqi. The construction phase was executed by Shanghai Jielu Decoration Design Engineering Co., Ltd., while LuosLab provided the essential ceramic components. This collaboration ensured the 207-square-meter retail space met all technical specifications.
5Spatial Experience and Atmosphere
The store layout is intentionally designed to thread scenes and experiences together, creating a narrative flow for the customer. By rooting the design in the site's specific DNA, the architects successfully bridged the gap between the surrounding natural landscape and the interior retail space, fostering a cohesive and immersive environment for shoppers.
6Technical Specifications and Completion
The project was officially completed in 2026, covering a total area of 207 square meters. Documentation provided by the architects highlights the integration of specific manufacturing partners, including LuosLab and Shanghai Jielu Decoration Design Engineering. These technical details underscore the precision required to execute the store's unique interior design and structural requirements.
7Visual Documentation and Media
Photographic documentation of the project was provided by Wen Studio, capturing the interplay between the interior design and the surrounding Aranya site. These images illustrate how the retail space functions as a small house for holidays, emphasizing the visual connection between the store's interior materials and the broader landscape of Guangzhou.
8Strategic Retail Design Impact
The Sage Guangzhou Aranya store demonstrates how retail spaces can leverage site-specific narratives to enhance brand identity. By prioritizing a relaxed, holiday-inspired atmosphere over traditional retail layouts, the project establishes a new standard for experiential shopping. This approach effectively aligns the physical environment with the brand's core values and target audience expectations.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Sage Guangzhou Aranya Store Design by Say Architects