SND Sanya / Various Associates

Architects: Various Associates
Area: 240 m²
Year: 2021
Project Leaders: Qianyi Lin, Dongzi Yang
Design Team: Bo Huang, Zebing Li, Meiyu Jiang
The Client: SND
Photographs: SFAP
City: Sanya
Country: China

SND Sanya retail space, designed by Various Associates in Sanya, translates the local surfing culture into a wave-inspired interior for a brand store within a hotel’s new commercial zone. The project introduces layered structures, a long display counter, and spatial divisions that merge openness with privacy. Daylight control, suspended fittings, and a ceiling system of light membrane and metal grille create comfort and clarity. The design emphasizes purity, brightness, and lightness, aligning brand identity with local context while offering a distinctive retail journey.

SND prefers to present rational and low-key restraint in its retail spaces, so when designing this store, we aimed to express the essence of SND through pure structural relationships.
Interview with Qianyi Lin and Dongzi Yang of Various Associates

The project included a commercial extension with circulation, an art gallery, an art shop, a bookstore, and a café. A staircase was introduced to link the ground and first floors, its geometry referencing the art gallery. According to Various Associates, “the overall project integrates the design from the outside to the inside, with a strong sense of unity. When conceiving the newly added commercial area, we tried to incorporate inclusiveness to harmonize the hotel, the commercial space, and tenants, without breaking the original design style of the hotel while highlighting the personality of the commercial area and brand stores.”

SND Sanya forms part of this new development. The design draws inspiration from surfing culture, expressed through layered wave-like forms that generate a circulation loop and create separate zones. A 15-meter-long display counter organizes the interior while serving both display and checkout purposes. The entrance includes a front desk and packaging area, providing immediate service as customers arrive or leave.

The spatial arrangement is defined by volumes at different heights that recall the motion of waves. These control daylight, improve comfort, and enhance the presentation of garments. Inclined walls produce enclosed areas while maintaining variety in circulation. Structural waves of different levels and the interaction between products reinforce the theme of movement within the space.

A ceiling of light membrane combined with an ultra-thin metal grille produces soft, even illumination, reminiscent of filtered sunlight under water. This feature introduces brightness and layering while supporting the atmosphere of clarity and ease. The approach conveys the relaxed qualities of the coastal city and enhances the retail experience.

Various Associates described the concept by saying, “When playing in waves, you may find treasures under the sea. Many people may wash them and bring them back home, and these turn into souvenirs of the journey.” This resonates with the design concept of SND Sanya. Many ‘treasures’ are waiting to be discovered in the ‘huge waves’.

Lightweight construction further strengthens this idea. Suspended clothing racks, mirrors, and light boards appear to float, allowing the focus to remain on garments and the customer journey. Each element follows a coherent logic that contributes to refinement and depth within the store.

The project applies a minimalist design language that addresses circulation, spatial functions, and brand requirements. Taking into account the surrounding culture and context, Various Associates turned the retail interior into a medium connecting inside and outside, offering new possibilities for retail architecture while integrating the identity of the SND brand.