A new toy store and cafe in Beijing features a dramatic arrangement of columns inspired by dandelions.

Beijing and Vienna-based architects, Penda, have injected the spirit of the shopping centre's mascot, a dandelion seedling named 'Toby', into the retail store.

Latticed columns are situated throughout the store, creating a sense of calm with their crisp, white curved facets. For each structure, the columns reflect the seeds comprising the dandelion plant, while the curvature evokes the lightweight fibres making up the airborne seeds. Once the lights are turned on, they mirror the light dancing on dandelions.

This image displays shelving between the latticed columns providing space for books, Toby dolls and other products.

Penda was co-founded by Chris Precht and Dayong Sun, who were asked to transform the space into Toby's Home, which could be enjoyed by both children and adults. Fusing a toy store with a cafe, Penda have used the 4.5m high by 800 sq m space successfully, making the pillars arc over and reach out to their neighbouring columns. The structures also interconnect to produce shelving and other beams, providing space for books, Toby dolls and other products, while inviting people into the space.

Situated in a shopping centre, the shop is labelled Toby's Home and sells miniature figurines of the mascot and his friends, created by Chinese developer, Vanke, who requested the project. The centre is located in an upcoming commercial area of Beijing's Daxing district called FunMix, which will soon be home to the largest airport terminal in the world designed by Zaha Hadid.

Here you can see Toby the mascot on the left, while people enjoy the space

Images: Chris Precht and Penda

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