COO was awarded a German Design Award in Gold for their design of THE BOX Beijing

On January 26, 2024, Chen Ying of COO traveled to Frankfurt/Germany, to accept the award on stage.

THE BOX is a renovation project that aims to transform an old shopping mall in Chaowai District into a modern retail hub and pop-culture center. Regularly curating cultural events and exhibitions, THE BOX has become the new nexus for the pop-culture community in Beijing, sparking heated discussions across social media platforms.

The untouched concrete beams and columns stretch a spatial skeleton where LED screens are mounted to display dynamic content. The atmosphere is kept raw and unfinished to resonate with Gen-Z’s appreciation of authenticity and the notion of always being in-the-making.

While keeping the rough and authentic undertone of the place, vibrant CMYK colors are introduced to organize the complexity of the interior spaces. Areas of the building are color-coded. Key functions and circulation elements are highlighted with the same concept.

The synergy between the public space and the wayfinding system harmoniously fulfills the dual purpose of a contemporary shopping mall and a vibrant cultural hub. Beyond functionality, THE BOX stands out with a conceptually and visually innovative identity, cementing its position at the forefront of Beijing’s urban regeneration efforts.