INHERIT THE CLASSICS & IGNITE INSPIRATION

Based on the powerful and versatile ceiling track system of adidas, the design team added alterations in both details and materials.

The triangular supporting truss work added to the ceiling track was inspired by stadiums, adding a sense of airiness to the original ceiling design. The varied ceiling treatments effectively create a sense of boundary from above, dividing the open product display combinations on the ground floor almost instinctively.

On the ground floor, the most popular series of products in Korea are displayed close to entry, including sportswear and running, making it convenient for customers to select products according to their habits and needs. Meanwhile, the City Shop and Seoul Lab, which were cocreated with the adidas retail link team, offer services exclusive in the city flagship. Customers can find special limited editions of Seoul and DIY customized products.

The fitting room on the ground floor is adjacent to the adidas by Stella McCartney collection, providing better privacy for customers shopping for sports underwear. The color combination of blue and red of the interior recalls the fitting rooms in a stadium. The water fountain incorporated here is a gesture of sustainability and user-friendly design.

Digital interactive screens found on many vertical surfaces encourage customer interaction and provide product guidance. In addition, a large built-in interactive digital floor is tucked under the central staircase. When someone steps on the digital floor, the displayed pattern will change accordingly. While appearing as an abstract picture at close range, it is actually a video when viewed from the upper floor.

The central staircase upon entrance can quickly take the customer flow to the second floor, while defining a loop circulation for the ground floor, creating a more interesting shopping experience.

The see-through steps eliminates the blockiness of the central staircase, allowing faintly visible scenes behind to show, making it the visual focal point on this level.

The contour of the atrium echoes the inclined shape of the facade to create a conversation between the interiors and the exterior. The luminous line-work is an abstract reinterpretation of the common basketball court lines. The abstract image combined with a clean material choice creates a bright and upward dynamic feeling for the atrium area.

Following the line of sight upward the atrium area, the eye-catching adidas Originals logo appears as a combination of blue metallic cut blocks, pointing out where the collection area lies.

A HOME OF SPORT, A COLLISION WITH TRADITIONAL LOCAL ELEMENTS

The colorful banners hanging in the atrium area aim to recall the feeling of sports arena, a homage to adidas' dedication to providing professional sportswear and care for all kinds of sports.

As the key display area of the adidas Originals, the blue space on the second floor not only displays the classic products but also contains a flexible pop-up area for special occasions. The large area of classic blue strengthens the spatial layers, and the three-dimensional graphics are another important element. As a way to honor local cultural elements, various traditional patterns embellish the space, such as perforated screens with custom traditional patterns, laminated glass tabletop casting playful shadows, and so on.

The three-dimensional patterns are applied on the perforated screen to imbue a local charm, which also enables better visual accessibility of products as well as a subtle division of boundaries for each area. On the other side, the shadows of surrounding display panels are cast onto the products under focus lighting, forming a joyful fusion.

The patterns on the center bench are derived from traditional Korean patterns, which are recreated by artists and presented with a metallic texture, achieving an intersection of tradition and modernity. The little billboards on the column are inspired by vintage theater signs, and the letters on which can be flexibly replaced according to different themes, paying tribute to the street spirit of adidas Originals.

The display area of adidas Originals, an extremely classic and representative collection, features professional display of a large amount of shoes. Metal grids are adopted to introduce natural light effectively in without letting in too much interference from the outdoor signboards, which is also convenient for the flexible placement of shoe racks.

As the flagship in Asia, this is the only store in Korea that offers the full range of adidas products, including Originals, Y-3, Sport Performance, etc. In addition, it features exclusive display areas for outdoor, football, basketball and kids series products.

The flipping advertising board behind the service desk regularly flips to change images, adding fun features to the queuing process.

As a world-renowned top sports brand, the adidas flagship in Seoul conveys the concept of "Home of Sport", which is originated from sports, rooted in culture, and values inclusivity and diversity. The design respects and highlights adidas brand culture as well as the local culture, inherits the brand DNA, meets the practical needs of the brand, operators, and other parties involved, and establishes a benchmark in retail space design.

Under the severe impact of the pandemic, the project was completed as scheduled. It stands on the streets of Myeongdong with a brand new energetic image, successfully and efficiently fulfilling the mission of revitalizing the brand's physical store, just as how the slogan of adidas puts it: IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING.