Revamped H&M Singapore carries innovative facade design

According to RSP executive Khoo Teik Rong, the H&M flagship store uses i-Mesh fabric for a uniquely fashionable look day or night.

RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd., has completed its transformation of the H&M flagship store in Singapore which has garnered attention within the design and retail industries due to its innovative design.

RSP Architects Associate Director Khoo Teik Rong said that it all began with a deeper understanding of H&M’s desire to reinvent the store’s image while respecting the brand’s ethos and the local context.

“We wanted to reveal the hidden gem of the Art Deco building, which had long been obscured by a dated facade,” TR revealed as he explained the concept behind the facade now known as “The Veil.”

The material for The Veil is called i-Mesh textile, a sustainable and customizable option which TR found as a perfect match to overlay on the existing Art Deco structure. “The veil is both a membrane and interface, a second skin overlaid on top of the existing Art Deco building,” he said.

He said its woven nature aligns with H&M’s textile-focused identity, allowing for a dynamic interface that can showcase the brand’s fashion and lifestyle concepts.

The façade’s pattern permits natural daylight into the interior spaces, creating a connection with the Orchard Road streetscape. By night, it transforms into a canvas for projections and dynamic lighting effects.

“The Veil is a simple yet elegant solution for H&M to make a bold fashion statement on Orchard Road,” TR said.
TR drew inspiration from various sources, including artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who wrapped public monuments with fabric to alter perceptions positively.

The design also took cues from cinema projector screens, which feature minimal, seamless surfaces that capture and reflect light. Surprisingly, the humble white lace fruit net found on dining tables back home served as another source of inspiration.

“At RSP, we always push the boundaries of innovation by exploring new mediums and materials in the spaces that we build,” TR said.

To note, i-Mesh is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable at the end of its life. Its lightweight and tensile strength properties allowed for large spans of fabric without the need for extensive structural support, enabling a pure expression of the tensile fabric to wrap the entire facade.

Completing the project within a tight timeline of just one year presented numerous challenges. So, close collaboration with all project partners, including H&M, subcontractors, sub-consultants, contractors, and suppliers was very important.

During TR’s interview, a special mention went to Alberto Fiorenzi, the inventor of i-Mesh, who played a pivotal role in adapting the material to suit the project’s unique requirements.

“We are the first in Southeast Asia to use i-Mesh as a building sub-material,” TR said proudly of the project that has genuinely showcased RSP Architects’ innovative prowess. And what better way to flaunt it than through H&M’s flagship store in Singapore.