Swiss [sn] Outdoor Apparel Brand Showroom & Headquarters Office

The Swiss outdoor performance apparel brand [sn] headquarters project is situated
in Chuangxiang Tower Creative Hub, Jing’an District, Shanghai. The site was originally
the Shanghai Uniform General Factory (Huxi Branch), established in 1918, which
underwent multiple historical transitions including the Japanese occupation period and
later service as a PLA military supply facility. This Bauhaus-style industrial building is
a witness to Shanghai’s modern industrial development. We harmoniously blended
historical context with contemporary needs, crafting an innovative work environment that
respects the past while embracing the future within a 620-square-meter space.

The design is centered on the concept of “Shop Meets Workshop,” breaking away from the traditional layout that separates office and exhibition spaces. Inspired by the brand’s core values of “nature, technology, and craftsmanship” and the site’s profound manufacturing history, the project primarily serves brand employees, visitors, and consumers. Through spatial storytelling, users are immersed in the brand spirit. The design places brand exhibition and social spaces along the central axis, with office and R&D areas on both sides, creating an organic dialogue between open and private spaces—perfectly illustrating Aaam’s philosophy of empowering brand value through architectural design.

The design employs multi-layered strategies to realize its vision: preserving the original high-ceiling concrete frame structure to highlight the charm of industrial heritage; utilizing three rows of original vaulted skylights combined with full-height south-facing glazed curtains to create an energy-efficient natural lighting system; and designing the central brand zone with fully mobile modular furniture to accommodate diverse usage scenarios. Material selections include outdoor gravel flooring symbolizing connection with nature, wooden display stands and metal structures reflecting the blend of technology and craftsmanship, and lightweight PVC panel canopies that use an “open-box” metaphor to visually communicate the brand’s core values to visitors. These designs respond to the historical context while creating a work environment adapted for the future.

The project’s most significant achievement lies in its perfect balance between heritage preservation and brand innovation, offering an innovative model for the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage. Through meticulous spatial planning and material choices, the project not only reduces energy consumption and creates a healthy work environment but also vividly conveys the brand story through spatial design. This case demonstrates that historic buildings can be revitalized through innovative design to become high-quality spaces that carry brand value, promote community interaction, and achieve sustainable development—providing an important reference for future projects of a similar nature.