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The concept for the Piaget Flagship Boutique on Canton Road originated from a deep appreciation of Kowloon's rich architectural heritage. Drawing upon the essence of Kowloon's urban fabric, bespoke ceramic tiles glazed in nuanced shades of blue lend the store its architectural presence, complemented by an array of customized metals and concrete elements - all woven together like an exquisite instrument. The project celebrates the storefront as a jeweled urban monument and repurposes the commercial façade to bring a new monumental presence and civic potency.
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Situated in the historic wharf area of Kowloon, this district possesses a set of unique qualities. Energized by the canton railway, which once linked to the mainland, it is a vibrant hub for trade and culture, and this dynamic exchange is reflected in the material selections. Much like civic monuments of ancient times, this approach reinforces the notion of architecture as a cultural symbol for the city and a mirror to our shared heritage and values. The integration of traditional elements with modern design principles further enhances its significance within the urban landscape.
When designing the Piaget Store, we considered a variety of materials, with sustainability playing a crucial role in the final selection. We ultimately chose ceramic as the primary material due to its eco-friendly properties. It is a non-toxic, natural material that can be easily recycled at the end of its long lifespan. We also meticulously examined the origins of our materials to minimize their carbon footprint. Consequently, all materials used in the project were sourced locally.
In many ways, Canton Road remains synonymous with luxury retail in Hong Kong. However, over the decades, with a constant rotation of tenants and their relentless competition for attention, filtering through the chaos has become increasingly challenging. In response to the visual cacophony, Neri&Hu introduces a calm and elegant presence to the storefront condition through the use of authentic crafted materials, whose natural qualities are highlighted by their placement and detailing. Custom-shaped handmade ceramic tiles, glazed in nuanced shades of deep blue, are framed in bronze, creating a striking visual statement. The meticulous combination of materials, woven together in refined detail, injects Piaget’s DNA into its new home on Canton Road, solidifying its position as a beacon of luxury and sophistication in the heart of Hong Kong. The metal-work makes reference to the site’s industrial past, while the ceramic tiles are sourced from Jingdezhen, a place that has been producing porcelain for over 1,000 years. Aldo Rossi explained in his seminal work The Architecture of the City how memory attaches itself to spatial structures within the built environment. Through time these structures are replaced by modern artifacts which re-write upon the canvas of the city, and thus new artifacts become part of the collective memory of the city.
Neri&Hu approached the project with a desire to respond not only to Piaget’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation in the field of horology, but also to the unique context of the site location and the vibrant community of Hong Kong citizens and visitors.
Founded in 2004 by partners Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office is an inter-disciplinary architectural design practice based in Shanghai. The practice’s burgeoning global portfolio includes commissions ranging from master planning and architecture, to interior design, installation, furniture, product, branding and graphic works. Currently working on projects in many countries, Neri&Hu is composed of multi-cultural staff who speak over 30 different languages. The diversity of the team reinforces a core vision for the practice: to respond to a global worldview incorporating overlapping design disciplines for a new paradigm in architecture.
Neri&Hu’s location is purposeful. With Shanghai considered a new global frontier, Neri&Hu is in the immediate center of this contemporary chaos. The city’s cultural, urban, and historic contexts function as a point of departure for design inquiries that span across a wide spectrum of scales.
