On Jeju Island in South Korea, Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects has completed a retail space for folding bicycles called ‘Portable’. Geared towards tourists visiting Jeju, the store rents and sells only folding bikes with the idea that they’re easier to transport around the island or pack into the back of a car.
The store occupies the first floor of a reinforced concrete building. The raw concrete structure is left exposed throughout the interior, from the floor surface to the deep beams in the ceiling. Paired with metal display units, the minimal material palette creates a cool, unfinished, and industrial aesthetic.
The main feature of Schemata Architects‘ design is the vertically movable hanger rack system, which serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides an eye-catching way of showing off the bikes to customers, and secondly, it allows the floor space to be freed up for other activities such as yoga and sports-related workshops. The ceiling rack system can also be used to hang clothes and other items, which visitors can freely touch and take a look at.
Architect: Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects
Project team: Ianis Combes
Photography: Ju Yeon Lee