PANE was founded upon a re-examination of everyday footwear, blending classic craftsmanship and refined materials with elegant, intellectual silhouettes to create timeless pieces that bridge the classical and the contemporary. The brand’s new flagship store, located in Shenzhen Bay Phase II, aspires to cultivate a sustainable spatial language drawn from its own cultural DNA. Taking the brand's slogans as its point of departure—“BEHAVE AS MORTALS” evoking an easy, everyday life, and “PLEASURES ARE TRANSIENT, HONORS ARE IMMORTAL” evoking the glory of competition—say crafts a space that naturally oscillates between ease and competition, while honouring the brand’s aesthetic of “transcending classical and contemporary” and “experiencing the lifecycle of objects.”
The storefront is defined by a horizontal black metal cornice, with the golden brand logo resting quietly upon it. Evenly spaced triglyphs echo the Greek Revival style, while the Oya-stone architrave and columns at the entrance exude a vintage sense of order. The main entrance, with its rigorous symmetry, lays out a classical prelude for those who step inside.
The space unfolds in an L-shaped plan, following the corner where the store meets the street. The first encounter is the Lounge area: light-wood low cabinets and sofas upholstered in rich blue enclose a corner of homely warmth. Fixed wall cabinets and open shelving reminiscent of wine cases display the products as if they were treasured collectibles. As the louvered cabinet doors on both sides gently open, the apparel collections are revealed—much like casually rummaging through a wardrobe at home to find the right piece for the moment.
Turning inward, the scene shifts to the Arena. Dark wood veneers lower the overall palette, and the gravitas of the arena quietly sets in. The cabinets along the sides evoke training locker rooms, yet they are presented in an open manner for product display, with adjustable shelves allowing for future flexibility. The seating area at the centre becomes more streamlined and restrained, like a quiet pause before the game.
Details are tucked away in unexpected places, and they also serve as say’s translation of classical art. The anteroom of the fitting room is crowned with a dome, upon which PANE’s signature graphic motifs are painted, restoring the aesthetic sequence of Greek Revival. Brass is used extensively throughout the space; the brand does not shy away from the traces of use, but rather welcomes time as a co-author of the materials.
From the “tipsy sip” of the Lounge to the contemplative stillness of the Arena, say strikes a vintage, self-possessed balance between ease and competition. The result is a miniature sanctuary that can be traversed between daily life and ceremony—where classical order and contemporary living meet with quiet grace.
Team:
Client: PANE
Design Company: say architects
Partner In Charge: Zhang Yan, Shan Jianan
Team: Fan Yawen (Senior Managing Partner), Hu Qiheng, Sun Haoyang
Photography: Wen Studio
Construction Team: Nanjing Kuangda Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Hangzhou Huahao Lighting Technology Co., Ltd. & Taitron Electronics Co., Ltd.
Furniture Supply: HomeGallery
