SoleWhat Shop Petaling Jaya, Selangor building interior design, Malaysia retail space photos, Architecture

SoleWhat Shop, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

15 September 2025

Design: Empt Studio

Location: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Photos by Weng Jen

SoleWhat Shop, Malaysia

Solewhat’s new retail space at 1 Utama explores the idea of modularity through a restrained palette of galvanized steel and warm timber. The design embraces simplicity while creating a backdrop that allows the brand’s evolving identity and curated merchandise to take center stage.

At the core of the concept lies a custom display system — a grid-like structure that draws inspiration from traditional joinery. This system not only references heritage craft but also introduces the flexibility demanded by contemporary retail environments. Its shelving rhythm sets the spatial order, establishing a framework that anchors the store in both function and form while maintaining visual coherence.

The material selection introduces a carefully measured dialogue. Industrial yet tactile, the pairing of galvanized steel and timber creates a quiet tension, an interplay that mirrors Solewhat’s street-meets-lifestyle positioning. Subtle ambient lighting softens the otherwise robust palette, guiding movement, highlighting transitions, and drawing attention to curated product moments thoughtfully placed throughout the store.

More than a seasonal fit-out, the interior is conceived as a long-term framework — an adaptable shell that can accommodate shifting retail needs and brand directions without losing clarity. The result is a space that balances flexibility with craft, offering Solewhat a stage that evolves yet remains timeless in presence.