FIELD:
Strategic｜Spatial｜Retail Design｜Emotional
CLIENT:
ECUST
TEAM:
Han Bao, Lijia Xiao
YEAR:
2022
DIMENSION:
25m²
STATUS:
Completed & Delivered
Memory Drift
about.
Memory Drift is a reimagined creative shop nestled on the first floor of the student dormitory at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), transforming a former campus gift shop into a space of imagination, memory, and cultural exchange. The project was completed and put into use in 2023.
story.
Memory Drift is not just a name—it’s a way to think about time, movement, and emotion within space. The floor plan itself drifts away from straight lines, embracing a slanted spatial logic that mirrors how memory works—nonlinear, fragmented, and deeply personal.
Here, space becomes both a personal archive and a shared emotional timeline—one that quietly tells the evolving story of ECUST and the students who pass through it.
detail.
Strategic Flexibility in Micro Retail
By leveraging limited space through modular shelving and flexible display systems, the design allows for agile merchandising and quick adaptation to seasonal or event-based needs. The left wall features peg-based adjustable shelving for dynamic product staging, while the right wall incorporates a folded geometry to host both fashion items and campus archival content — strategically merging retail with storytelling.
Enhancing Community through Cultural Memory
A small seating nook by the window encourages informal gathering and rest. The compact café counter at the entrance invites visitors to linger, fostering engagement and repeat visits. Even the wall adjacent to the storage room is utilized as hybrid display — either for hanging accessories or converting into shelving with acrylic boards. This hyper-efficient layout demonstrates how spatial strategy and cultural sensitivity can transform a forgotten corner into a hub of memory, creativity, and identity exchange.
