Shanghai fashion showroom features ceiling lightbox based on sci-fi film set
An illuminated ceiling based on a scene from George Lucas' 1971 sci-fi film THX 1138 has been installed in the showroom at fashion designer Nicolas Andreas Taralis' offices in Shanghai (+ slideshow).
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Taralis collaborated with architect Bernard Dubois, co-curator of the Belgian Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, to come up with the redesign of the two-storey 1,500-square-metre building.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
"We worked collaboratively on the whole design, each of us bringing references and ideas together to make a coherent common project," Dubois told Dezeen.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
Set across two levels and divided into four zones, the building includes a showroom, a studio, atelier and an administration office.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
The design uses concrete, metal and mirrors to create a greyscale scheme throughout, matching the German-Greek designer's largely colourless collections.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Defined by the duo as the "heart of the design", the showroom space is situated on the ground floor.
Mirrored walls create the illusion of a never-ending room, while long chrome clothing rails hang from the ceiling.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
"All vertical lines on the walls and in the composition of the plan meet the lines of the ceiling," said Dubois.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
The glow emitted from the lightbox ceiling aims to "transport the visitor into a science-fiction-like world". The feature is based on scenes from Lucas' feature-length directorial debut THX 1138, which was partly filmed in an entirely white giant room.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Pigment-dyed black concrete was used to form a low monolith for displaying accessories, as well as reception counters in the two public entrances.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
A staircase located in the centre of the showroom leads up to the first-floor studio. The large opening that punctures the ceiling allows natural light into the windowless room.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Upstairs, large concrete tables designed by Dubois and Taralis are positioned in rows and separated by large black dividers that incorporate storage space. The tables are also used in private glass-fronted offices.
A private staircase leads to further atelier space downstairs, which isn't accessible from the showroom.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis_store_China_Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
Taralis and Dubois also worked together to redesign the fashion brand's Beijing shop, mirroring the aesthetic of the showroom by installing the lightbox ceiling and keeping a monochromatic palette.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis_store_China_Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Photography is by Maxime Delvaux.
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_1.gif)
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_2.gif)
![Nicolas Andreas Taralis in China by Bernard Dubois](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Nicolas-Andreas-Taralis-in-China-by-Bernard-Dubois_dezeen_3.gif)