Dutch firm MVRDV has recently revealed its latest design for Tiffany & Co.’s new store in Shanghai’s Taikoo Li Qiantan retail development. The facade, which is the focal point of Taikoo Li Qiantan, an upscale retail complex finished in 2021, is distinctive for its use of diamonds. This design, seemingly simple at first glance, is actually deeply rooted in Tiffany’s rich history.
Drawing from their previous work at Singapore’s Changi Airport in 2023, MVRDV’s approach for Tiffany facades is characterized by innovative materials, a three-dimensional presence, and the ability to evoke wonder in viewers. In Shanghai, the facade is adorned with glass diamonds strategically placed to create a dazzling, scattered effect while maintaining clear sight-lines where needed, such as around the store’s first-floor cafe balcony.
The team at MVRDV has meticulously crafted the shimmering facade for Tiffany & Co. Shanghai using 6,988 handcrafted glass diamonds, each measuring 21 centimeters wide by 13 centimeters tall and weighing 1.5 kilograms. These diamonds are suspended from high-tension, mirrored steel cables that run between the top and bottom frames of the structure.
Specially designed steel fixtures, nearly invisible to the eye, ensure that the diamonds remain securely in place without any movement. This careful design allows for a fully mechanical connection system, making it possible to dismantle the facade in the future, with all components being reusable or recyclable.
Similar to MVRDV’s previous work on Tiffany’s Singapore Airport store, the design of the Shanghai store’s façade draws inspiration from the local environment, specifically the vibrant and colorful light displays of Shanghai’s skyline.
To capture this essence, the project incorporates energy-efficient, color-changing LED lighting at both the top and bottom sections of the façade. This lighting system enables the façade to be illuminated in various colors, including the iconic Tiffany Blue, with the glass diamonds enhancing the refractive qualities of each hue.