Lululemon is opening two new flagship stores in SoHo (New York) and Gangnam (Seoul), showcasing a new store concept: more movement, community, and sensory experiences. Recycled, partly 3D-printed materials, terrazzo, wood details, and an immersive light installation are intended to make the visit feel like a journey while also referencing the brand’s roots in the Pacific Northwest. Local boards, events, and “Love Notes” connect with the neighborhood. In Seoul, there is a men’s floor for the first time.
At the heart of the concept are bespoke, 3D-printed cladding elements made from recycled materials that “wrap” the respective stores. The structure follows the linework and contours of well-known product designs from the brand. Unlike decorative standalone pieces, 3D printing is used here as a large-scale, structural design element that must be adapted to the requirements of retail build-outs in terms of geometry, surface profile, and repeatability. Such applications typically require a reliable process chain—from material preparation and print parameters through to post-processing and installation—so that fits, edges, and joints remain consistent over longer spans.
In addition to the 3D-printed elements, lululemon cites terrazzo floors, a hand-formed tiled staircase, and wood joinery as defining components. An integrated light installation along the staircase is intended to echo the sky’s shifting colors over the Pacific Northwest, which serves as a design reference point for color palettes and material selection.
“Our new store expression reflects lululemon’s commitment to creating a welcoming, dynamic retail experience, designed to celebrate our product and community,” said Darin Rabb, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Creative & Experience, lululemon. “Every detail has been curated to evoke emotion and connection, with elevated materials to reflect the quality and craftsmanship of our products.”
The stores are also conceived as community hubs, for example with local boards for ambassadors and events. Lululemon says it operates more than 780 company-owned locations worldwide across nearly 25 markets and expects to complete 35 store optimizations in fiscal year 2025. This should indicate whether 3D-printed recycled components for retail build-outs can also be sourced and maintained reliably at larger scale.
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