An illuminated ceiling primarily based on a scene from George Lucas’ 1971 sci-fi film THX 1138 has been installed in the showroom at trend designer Nicolas Andreas Taralis’ offices in Shanghai .

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

Taralis collaborated with architect Bernard Dubois, co-curator of the Belgian Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, to come up with the redesign of the two-storey 1,500-square-metre developing.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

“We worked collaboratively on the complete design, every single of us bringing references and ideas collectively to make a coherent typical project,” Dubois informed Dezeen.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

Set across two ranges and divided into 4 zones, the developing includes a showroom, a studio, atelier and an administration office.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

The design and style utilizes concrete, metal and mirrors to generate a greyscale scheme throughout, matching the German-Greek designer’s largely colourless collections.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

Defined by the duo as the “heart of the layout”, the showroom space is situated on the ground floor.


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Mirrored walls produce the illusion of a never-ending room, although lengthy chrome clothing rails hang from the ceiling.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

“All vertical lines on the walls and in the composition of the program meet the lines of the ceiling,” stated Dubois.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

The glow emitted from the lightbox ceiling aims to “transport the visitor into a science-fiction-like globe”. The characteristic is based on scenes from Lucas’ characteristic-length directorial debut THX 1138, which was partly filmed in an totally white giant room.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

Pigment-dyed black concrete was used to type a minimal monolith for displaying equipment, as properly as reception counters in the two public entrances.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

A staircase found in the centre of the showroom prospects up to the very first-floor studio. The huge opening that punctures the ceiling enables natural light into the windowless space.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois

Upstairs, big concrete tables made by Dubois and Taralis are positioned in rows and separated by large black dividers that incorporate storage area. The tables are also used in personal glass-fronted offices.

A private staircase leads to additional atelier space downstairs, which is not available from the showroom.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois Nicolas Andreas Taralis’ Beijing shop

Taralis and Dubois also worked together to redesign the trend brand’s Beijing store, mirroring the aesthetic of the showroom by installing the lightbox ceiling and keeping a monochromatic palette.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois Nicolas Andreas Taralis’ Beijing shop

Photography is by Maxime Delvaux.

Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard DuboisGround floor plan Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard DuboisFirst floor strategy Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard DuboisPart Dezeen

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