Super Jinjiang is a 275-square-metre retail project completed in 2026 by COLORFULL YUJING DESIGN in Quanzhou, China, with photography by Pixel Force. The design team was led by directors Sunny Zhao and Ryo Ono, representing the studio’s collaborative approach to contemporary commercial architecture. The project emerges from a strategic vision to position Jinjiang as a destination that celebrates its distinctive heritage whilst embracing contemporary retail innovation. This flagship experience store marks a significant moment in how regional manufacturing cities are reimagining their commercial identities through thoughtful spatial design.
Jinjiang is known as China’s “Capital of Brands” and is enriched by Maritime Silk Road culture, traditional Minnan architecture, and overseas Chinese heritage. The city’s identity is deeply rooted in its footwear and apparel manufacturing sector, which has shaped both its economy and cultural character for decades. Nearby Xunpu has become a celebrated cultural destination, known for its iconic hairpin flower tradition, historic Minnan houses, and coastal fishing village character. This layered cultural context provides the foundation for understanding Super Jinjiang’s design ambitions and its role within the broader urban landscape.
Super Jinjiang launched its first flagship experience store in Xunpu. The location choice reflects a deliberate strategy to position the retail offering within a culturally significant neighbourhood rather than a conventional commercial district. This positioning allows the store to function as both a retail destination and a cultural anchor, drawing visitors who are already engaged with the area’s heritage attractions. The decision to locate in Xunpu demonstrates how contemporary retail can integrate with existing cultural narratives rather than compete against them.
Built on Jinjiang’s footwear and apparel industry, the project brings together local brands, design, and cultural experiences, creating a platform that connects manufacturing, culture, and tourism while showcasing the spirit of Made in Jinjiang. This programmatic approach distinguishes Super Jinjiang from conventional retail environments by embedding commercial activity within a broader cultural mission. The store functions as a curated platform where visitors encounter both products and stories, transforming the retail experience into something closer to cultural interpretation.
COLORFULL YUJING DESIGN is led by Zhao Zongyang and Ono Ryosuke, bringing together Chinese and Japanese designers with a core management team that has over 18 years of industry experience. The studio’s international composition informs its design philosophy, which balances market analysis with aesthetic refinement. The practice analyses market demand, user behaviour, and surrounding environment to propose suitable design solutions, then meticulously integrates colours and shapes into spaces to create amiable environments. This systematic approach ensures that Super Jinjiang’s design responds to both commercial imperatives and experiential quality.
The architectural response to Super Jinjiang’s brief required navigating the tension between contemporary retail expectations and the cultural sensitivity demanded by Xunpu’s heritage context. The design needed to acknowledge local architectural traditions whilst creating a distinctly modern commercial environment. COLORFULL YUJING DESIGN is focused on commercial architecture, positioning the studio as specialists in understanding how retail spaces can function as cultural instruments. The 275-square-metre footprint is modest by contemporary retail standards, which likely encouraged a concentrated, experiential approach rather than sprawling commercial display.
The project’s completion in 2026 places it at the forefront of a broader shift in how Chinese cities are reconsidering their relationship with manufacturing heritage and cultural tourism. Rather than treating these as separate economies, Super Jinjiang proposes their integration through thoughtfully designed retail space. The store becomes a physical manifestation of Jinjiang’s brand narrative, where visitors can encounter both the products and the cultural context that gives them meaning. This approach reflects evolving expectations about what retail environments should communicate and how they should function within their communities.
COLORFULL YUJING DESIGN has headquarters in Shanghai and studios in Qingdao and Fukuoka, Japan. This geographic distribution enables the studio to draw on multiple design traditions and market insights, enriching its approach to projects like Super Jinjiang. The practice’s international structure is particularly relevant for a project that must balance local cultural authenticity with contemporary design sophistication. The involvement of Japanese design sensibilities, combined with deep knowledge of Chinese commercial markets, creates a distinctive perspective on how retail spaces can serve cultural purposes.
The completion of Super Jinjiang represents a meaningful contribution to how contemporary retail architecture can engage with regional identity and cultural heritage. Rather than imposing a generic commercial formula, the project demonstrates how careful spatial design can create retail environments that feel rooted in their specific contexts. For Quanzhou and Jinjiang, the store functions as both a commercial destination and a cultural statement, affirming that manufacturing heritage and contemporary design innovation are not opposing forces but complementary elements of a city’s identity. The project’s success will likely influence how other manufacturing-focused regions approach the challenge of creating retail experiences that honour their heritage whilst embracing contemporary possibilities.
Gallery
Explore more on Archtene
- More projects by COLORFULL YUJING DESIGN
- More projects in China
- More Retail Store projects
