SENSAI Flagship Store Shanghai

Kao's global luxury brand "SENSAI" brings its worldview to life in Shanghai, China

  • Commercial Spaces
  • A shopping area with a stunning presence, featuring chandeliers woven with delicate threads reminiscent of Koishimaru silk

    A shopping area with a stunning presence, featuring chandeliers woven with delicate threads reminiscent of Koishimaru silk

  • The pure white silk-like object stands out beautifully against the deep matte ink color, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

    The pure white silk-like object stands out beautifully against the deep matte ink color, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

  • The minimalist color scheme and artwork on the walls create a unique atmosphere in the salon space.

    The minimalist color scheme and artwork on the walls create a unique atmosphere in the salon space.

  • Two giant cocoons alternately illuminate the space while gradually changing the brightness, Spatial Production a special worldview for SENSAI.

    Two giant cocoons alternately illuminate the space while gradually changing the brightness, Spatial Production a special worldview for SENSAI.

  • An immersive space that sublimates the Japanese aesthetic sense cultivated in the traditional tea ceremony with a modern interpretation

    An immersive space that sublimates the Japanese aesthetic sense cultivated in the traditional tea ceremony with a modern interpretation

  • A warm and comfortable atmosphere welcomes guests to a luxurious treatment space offering a unique and special experience.

    A warm and comfortable atmosphere welcomes guests to a luxurious treatment space offering a unique and special experience.

  • The striking interior, decorated with SENSAI's striking icons, draws the attention of passers-by.

    The striking interior, decorated with SENSAI's striking icons, draws the attention of passers-by.

  • SENSAI Flagship Store Shanghai
  • The pure white silk-like object stands out beautifully against the deep matte ink color, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
  • The minimalist color scheme and artwork on the walls create a unique atmosphere in the salon space.
  • Two giant cocoons alternately illuminate the space while gradually changing the brightness, Spatial Production a special worldview for SENSAI.
  • An immersive space that sublimates the Japanese aesthetic sense cultivated in the traditional tea ceremony with a modern interpretation
  • A warm and comfortable atmosphere welcomes guests to a luxurious treatment space offering a unique and special experience.
  • The striking interior, decorated with SENSAI's striking icons, draws the attention of passers-by.

Photo by Adachi Makoto

About the Project

Overview "SENSAI Flagship Store Shanghai" is the brand's first flagship store, embodying the value of "living carefully and delicately" that "SENSAI" aspires to. It is a special facility that contains two different worldviews: an experiential spa area that satisfies the five senses by incorporating the spirituality and stylized beauty of "tea ceremony," and a shopping area that minimally expresses the philosophy of beauty brought about by "Koishimaru Silk."
Issues/Themes The design by Gwenael Nicolas of design studio Curiosity, in particular the "chandelier woven with delicate threads reminiscent of Koishimaru silk" in the shop area and "two giant cocoons that move alternately with gradually changing lighting levels" in the spa area, will be realized in Shanghai, China.
Space Solution/Realization Meetings between the Kao SENSAI brand team, Kao China, Curiosity, and our group company Dan Qing Chuang Yi, which is in charge of local construction, and other related parties across Japan and China, were planned mainly through online meetings to eliminate communication loss. In addition, by making efforts such as comparative verification of locally available finishing material samples with domestic products and live web camera broadcasting during prototype inspection, we were able to create a space overseas with the same response as in domestic projects.

Basic Information

Client Kao Corporation
Services Provided Production, Construction, Project Management
Our Team Technical Direction, Project Management: Ayumu Morisada
Production, Construction: Danqing Creative Design & Design (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Chen Jun, Chu Yuan
Location Shanghai, China
Open October 2023
Website https://www.kao.com/jp/newsroom/news/release/2023/20231017-001
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*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.