Tiffany & Co. Reimagined by MVRDV Through a Flowing Facade of Translucent Fins

David Chokron
Jan 16
2 min read

The detachable, circular system converts into a luminous "Tiffany Blue lantern" using integrated, concealed lighting modules at night.

The new Tiffany & Co. flagship store, situated in Beijing's Taikoo-Li Sanlitun luxury retail district, showcases a remarkable façade composed of curvilinear, translucent glass fins, crafted by the Dutch architectural studio MVRDV. This represents the fifth cooperation in a continuous series of custom shopfront designs for the jeweller, which investigates unique materials and expressive three-dimensional shapes.

The four-storey edifice is enveloped in a shroud of undulating, translucent glass fins that ascend vertically to a height of 20 metres. These fluid shapes generate an ethereal presence, altering in appearance as light varies throughout the day. Drawing inspiration from the organic forms of jewellery designer Elsa Peretti’s creations, particularly the Bone Cuff, the façade presents a novel design motif in MVRDV’s continuing partnership with Tiffany, highlighting dynamic three-dimensional shapes and inventive material application.

MVRDV

The façade's icy blue colour, intimately linked to Tiffany's brand identity, amplifies its iconic status within the vibrant shopping centre. The dense arrangement of glass fins enhances the interplay of light and shadow when observed from various perspectives, creating a dynamic image that seems to shift with the viewer.

Light functions as a fundamental design element, with the glass meticulously chosen for its inherent blue hue. At night, the façade metamorphoses into a luminous “Tiffany Blue lantern,” illuminated by lighting modules subtly incorporated into bespoke mounting brackets. This integration guarantees that technological hardware stays concealed, maintaining emphasis on the glass's diffuse luminosity. This system is designed for circularity, as the entire façade is completely demountable, enabling the removal of fins and brackets without damage for future reuse or recycling.