Shenzhen is a city born by the sea and driven forward by it. Over the past forty years, it has transformed from a small fishing village into a global metropolis. The ship has become one of the city’s cultural symbols — a reflection of decades of progress and exploration. As the first nice rice store in South China, the Shenzhen MixC World location takes the ship as its central metaphor, continuing the brand’s exploration of resonance between retail space and the city it inhabits.
Setting Sail
At the entrance, intersecting masts and crossbeams define the site while maintaining an open gesture that invites visitors to explore further. Stepping onto the “deck,” a diagonally braced structure rises at the center, lifting the “sail” and forming the main visual focus of the space. The curved ceiling is likened to a white mainsail, its upward stretch symbolizing the moment of setting sail, expressing the free-spirited, optimistic, and adventurous ethos of nice rice. The rigging elements of the sailboat are distilled into clean, efficient lines that both reveal the structure of the vessel and serve as functional display systems.
Moving into the “cabin,” warm wooden elements bring a sense of calm and comfort. While the deck evokes the thrill of facing wind and waves, the interior offers a more stable, sheltered feeling, creating a contrast between outer movement and inner stillness. Within this space, visitors can immerse themselves more deeply, almost sensing the sea breeze and rolling waves, forming a special emotional connection with Shenzhen’s maritime character.
Local Expression
Each nice rice store represents the brand’s understanding of local culture and its sincere response to that context. Lingnan culture has long been defined by diversity, pragmatism, openness, and innovation. By drawing on this spirit, nice rice brings an added layer of authenticity to the retail environment — telling a story of inclusivity, resilience, and moving forward with the wind, toward the sea.
Project Information
Year: December 2023
Area: 270 sqm
Address: B110, Basement Level 1, MixC World, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Design Firm: say architects
Spatial Photography: Yanyu
Lighting Design: TRACE Lighting Design
