SKINLALA Beauty Spa Flagship Store by ISENSE Design in Beijing, China

Project: SKINLALA Beauty Spa Flagship Store
Architects: ISENSE Design
Location: Beijing, China
Area: 3,222 sq ft
Year: 2022
Photography by: Lu Bo

SKINLALA Beauty Spa Flagship Store by ISENSE Design

CHASE

«Blurry concepts are more expressive than clear ones. Beauty can be felt but not expressed in words, and people cannot put all thoughts into words.» — Immanuel Kant

Blur is one of the key forms of expression in art. Our life's pursuits always reach a peak «beauty», when we almost touch it — this state is full of possibilities and the unknown.

Prologue

With the philosophy of «activating skin forces scientifically», as an internationally renowned beauty and skincare brand, SKINLALA adheres to a strict scientific experimental approach and promotes natural skin beauty activated in a healthy way.

As the first flagship store in Beijing, China, conveying the brand concept through space is the main task for ISENSE DESIGN. Considering this space as a woman, the design team aims to highlight her healthy, active and clean character rather than «technological beauty», which floods social media. «Water», a necessary element of life, is the source of design ideas.

Water, Ice, Crystal, Frost and Ink

Water nourishes people and purifies them from pollution, making beauty visible. Five states of water were extracted to correspond with the brand's minimalist black-and-white palette, applying materials such as lacquered panels, mirror panels, sandglass, glass bricks and tempered glass. Combined with icy blue, the rigid relationships between black and white become soft, creating a transparent and clean space.

Frost

Blur and clarity can trigger an amazing chemical reaction at the moment of their fusion. Just like the brand promotes a strict scientific skincare concept, this spirit of scientific research means deep exploration of truth, which is also reflected in the project name CHASE. Design serves as a metaphor indicating that every consumer seeking «beauty» will have a positive outlook on life.

Crystal

Glass materials are used to divide functional zones and rational flow, while also bringing light so that the small space does not feel cramped and internal and external interaction is enhanced. At the same time, on display are technical crystallizations of deep brand research, fully reflecting differentiations through scientific and medical forms such as IV drips and injections. This is also one of the key aspects of SKINLALA that adapts individual skin awakening programs.

Ink

For facial oxygenation treatments, facial pilates, scalp and body care, a more comfortable and relaxing light is needed. When clients enter the guest area from the foyer, they immediately fall silent upon entering the quiet black space. The scalp care zone features a shimmering blue star ceiling, complemented by wall projection creating a theatrical effect as if the black curtain is lowering. Lighting in this space is extremely restrained, with backlighting used to indicate direction. All equipment is hidden within black steel slots at the top, while curved ceilings and sandglass panels break monotony in the narrow long corridor.

Restroom

The communal restroom is divided into two parts in black and white to increase visual width. Full-length mirrors with individual logos are convenient for social media photos, while also ensuring brand communication. All high-end fixtures from German brands provide clients with the best experience in detail.

Room

With backlighting from glowing acrylic on the doors, each room is equipped with an intelligent lighting and sound system that operates in low-light and silent modes when unoccupied. When guests approach the room, light slowly turns on, and upon entry, a greeting mode activates with automatic playback of welcoming words and music. Moreover, the intelligent panel can serve as a call system for clients and staff.

Makeup

The ladies' room is located on the left side of the guest zone. Like all other spaces, ISENSE DESIGN pays attention to every detail by hiding unnecessary devices and ventilation openings in invisible places to achieve a clean small space. Arched design elements continue here, creating an interesting makeup room where soft lighting creates a portrait photography effect for photos.

Plans