As a sequel to the Maison Dior in Seoul in 2015 and Geneva in 2024, the Maison Dior Beijing was also designed by internationally renowned architect Christian de Portzamparc. The building’s facade features flowing lines that create petal-like pointed arches, reminiscent of the flowing lines of Christian Dior cutting a haute couture gown, frozen in time. The walls are crafted from handmade glass bricks, with gold echoing the symbols of nobility in traditional Chinese culture. This building is not only a testament to exquisite craftsmanship but also a perfect fusion of Dior’s elegant aesthetics and modern design language. The lucky star that has always guided the brand shines atop the building, infusing this new landmark with timeless brilliance.
Stepping into the Maison Dior in Beijing, this “dream palace,” one is greeted by exquisite furnishings that blend the brand’s classic elements with meticulous materials, paying homage to Mr. Dior’s early architectural ideals. French parquet flooring, a new cannage pattern, and elegant gold accents intertwine with art pieces, avant-garde furniture, and black-and-white photography to create a rich and layered visual experience.
The facade of the building, designed by French architect Christian de Portzamparc — who the brand previously worked with on its flagships in Seouland Geneva — is a blooming mega-sculpture with sweeping curves constructed of 14 petals and golden glass tiles. De Portzamparc said the design was meant to convey a sense of flexibility and movement, which echoes the way that Christian Dior liked to drape fabrics. It also evokes caryatids, or sculpted female figures serving as architectural support in ancient Athens architecture, due to the pedestrian nature of the outdoor shopping mall.
To create each 65-foot-tall petal, Portzamparc used a special resin-casting technique and collaborated with a local manufacturer, which moved operations to a factory closer to Sanlitun and spent 18 months crafting the pieces. “The idea came from Seoul because Seoul has shipyards, so it was easy to do that for Beijing. We had studied the routes for transporting the hulls, which had to be very, very precise. So we found a factory that knew how to do that, but didn’t have the right route to get here — that’s why it relocated,” said Portzamparc.
Portzamparc also adjusted the original petal structure for Beijing, widening the spaces between them and adding a massive vertical golden glass tile wall to each facade — a similar aesthetic found in traditional Chinese architecture. During the day, the colored-glass facade of Dior’s neighboring Louis Vuitton flagship reflects light onto Dior’s own glass structure, sending refracted hues dancing across the building. At night, the House of Dior transforms into a glowing lantern, creating an ever-shifting dialogue between light and space.
