Gallery of Progen – Ningbo, China
Title
Gallery of Progen – Ningbo, China
Website
Designed by
Greater Dog Architects
Image Credit
© Metaviz Studio
Project Description
Project Description provided by Greater Dog Architects - Founded in 1984 in Ningbo — the birthplace of the renowned Hongbang tailoring tradition — Progen Group was the first Chinese brand to introduce the concept of business attire to the domestic market. Rooted in Hongbang craftsmanship and a dedication to artisanal excellence, the brand has built a lasting legacy. For its latest showroom, Progen once again partnered with Greater Dog Architects to lead the redesign. Starting with "Portrait of Progen", the new space acts as a self-portrait of the brand, mapping its origins and stitching together its past, present, and future through a series of carefully curated spatial narratives.
NARRATIVE
The Progen showroom occupies the seventh floor of the Progen Group's headquarters. The space is divided into four distinct zones, each with a dedicated curatorial purpose. Together, they guide visitors through a narrative journey— featuring the brand timeline, Fabric Roll Wall, brand heritage displays, digital interaction zone, brand interpretation area, patent wall, the uniform and suit showcases, and a meeting room.
To the left of the entrance stands the Fabric Roll Wall, inspired by the bustling production lines of the tailoring workshop. Forty-eight densely packed fabric rolls are arranged with industrial-style shelving, forming a rhythmic corridor-like display. On the adjacent glass wall, a timeline 'mural' playfully traces the brand's milestones. At the far end, illustrated sewing patterns gently introduce the showroom's overarching narrative.
The original load-bearing columns of the building have been clad in translucent glass for visual lightness, reducing their massive presence while allowing glimpses of the building's core framework. This treatment not only creates a lighter architectural expression but also integrates the columns into the showroom's signage through coordinated visual identity elements.
At the main entrance, a curved glass replaces traditional walls for the brand heritage display, creating transparent yet defined zones. Organized chronologically, it traces the evolution of suits and uniforms across four key stages. Historical tailoring tools serve as foundational design elements— tangible witnesses to Progen's 40-year journey.
The journey begins with a black overcoat — a masterpiece by Master Lu Chengfa, a fifth-generation tailor of the Redbang. Along the wall, sewing machines from different eras are displayed within story boxes, each corresponding to a specific stage in the evolution of ready-to-wear garments. Visitors move through the space as if traveling through time, gaining new perspectives on each historical moment in the brand's legacy.
The craftsmanship Display captures and preserves the essence of the brand's legacy. Traditional tailoring tools — such as flat irons, tailoring shears, thimbles, measuring tapes, ledgers, and drafting boards — are carefully arranged to tell a tactile, human-centred story of garment-making. This display embodies Progen's enduring commitment to artisanal values and the warmth of hand-crafted tradition.
