The Zazen Bear Flagship store, located in Soho, NYC, is a Korean-Japanese multi-use concept shop that serves as a retail space, art gallery, and a meditation center. Within a space designed to encourage peace, tranquility, and harmony, Zazen features products, including jewelry, housewares and a variety of Zen spirited items; wellness programming, including yoga and meditation classes; and an art gallery.
The design of the store echoes the soft curves of the brand’s meditative symbol, the Zazen Bear—a plush, stuffed bear sitting in the lotus position and intended to act as a reminder to stop, breathe deeply, and embrace the inner self. The curves and the symmetry of the bear, which follow the golden ratio, became the starting point for the design that was aimed at generating a stress-free and calming environment. The store entry is a threshold, mediating between the bustling streets of Soho and a space that fosters serenity, comfort, and meditation—a multi-use space of Zen.
The Zazen project has been awarded with the A’Design Award & Competition 2016-2017.
Explore the space here
