Pinkah New Products Exhibition Hall by Daosheng Design: 2017 Best of Year Winner for Mixed Retail

Durability is a paramount concern when it comes to thermoses. This is one reason why founder He Yongming looked to the striated walls of a canyon as inspiration for his showroom for the popular Chinese thermos maker. After all, canyons are about as durable as it gets, withstanding rain, wind, and the test of time. “The client sought to create a strong visual sense, to show the different characteristics of the product and give it personality,” He says.

The organic feel of the 1,400-square-foot space was critical to the overall effect, but so was a contemporary design aesthetic. To help the thermoses stand out against the textured backdrop, He eschewed the bright hues found in nature and went with a more muted, minimalist color scheme. There’s a sense of order to the undulating faux-stone walls, as well, with straight horizontal lines that are perfectly suited to shelving. And in the center of the showroom is an oblong pillar connected to a swoop- ing display unit that echoes a cave feature, yet is smooth and polished. “When customers step into this space, they experience a warping of space and time,” He says. Indeed, it’s a cavern unlike any in nature—it feels at once ancient and ahead of its time.

> See more from the December 2017 issue of Interior Design

> See all 2017 Best of Year winners and honorees