Apple Store in Shanghai, China

In the heart of Shanghai’s bustling commercial district, a single glass cylinder rises from the plaza like a beacon of modernity. But this isn’t just an entrance—it’s a masterclass in minimalism and precision. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the Shanghai Apple Store reimagines what retail architecture can be: open, inviting, and quietly revolutionary.

Composed of 12 massive curved glass panels and a floating spiral staircase, the pavilion creates a seamless transition from the bustling city above to the calm, carefully designed space below. Standing 13 meters tall with a 5-meter radius, it represents a groundbreaking achievement in glass engineering. The 13-meter-tall curved, toughened, and laminated panels were produced in a single piece—far surpassing any previous production of this kind, whether flat or curved. The full-height internal glass fin columns were also manufactured in one piece with integrated fittings to connect to the curved panels. The laminated glass used SentryGlas® interlayers, ensuring superior strength and excellent post-breakage performance.

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