Shop of cards

XRANGE designed a shop of unique Shelf of Cards system- a flexible building system made of recycled materials- that expresses the Kapok spirit and the ever changing mix of its quality goods sourced from all over the world.

The Shelf of Cards are inspired by house of cards toys, and are conceived to eliminate on-site construction and material waste. All components are factory cnc-ed and slot-fitted to create free standing structures of up to 240cm tall. The 200sqm shop was installed in a mere 5 hours.

The Shelf of Cards system is made from FSC and PEFC certified recycled post-industrial wood fibre panels impregnated with organic dyes. The wall units have slotted column structures of low v.o.c. 25mm birch-ply and various diversely different shelf profiles such as built-in hangers, cut outs or protruding highlight perches, etc. to accommodate Kapok’s multiple product types. The floor units can be dismantled into 10 identical flat panels. Their special criss-crossed structures also allows a few assembly variations. A 100x60x60cm version is currently available for pre-order.

Standing in space are robust plywood K-frames derived from Kapok’s logo. The structure is formed by the emergent branching of multiple Ks made either of square stainless steel tubes, recycled wood fibre panels or birch-ply. The Ks lean against each other for stability and support, forming an interconnected system of weights and counterbalances.

Under the playful kit-of-parts, game-like atmosphere of the Kapok shop are a bespoke, patent pending, highly interchangeable and expandable shop system. Furthermore, the Shelf of Cards panels even emit the distinctive, pleasant scent of colour pencils, evoking memories of child’s play and tactile toys.

scope: interior
client: Kapok, Hong Kong
site: Shinkong Mitsukoshi A4, Xinyi District, Taipei
floor area: 200 sqm
design: April 2014
construction: completion  May 2014