QIdeas / Haibayo
Two storefronts in Chicago’s Asia on Argyle become a home for intergenerational community, locally-focused retail, and AAPI culture.
This project is the renovation of two storefronts in the Asia on Argyle neighborhood to develop a renovated retail space, a community room, and speakeasy-style cafe.
The project began from three primary project goals: flexibility and functionality, honoring the diversity of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, and creating a welcoming environment for multiple generations. The project celebrates QIdeas & Haibayo’s connection with the Argyle community while providing a much-needed event space with a contemporary interior design.
The new floorplan strategically transforms existing storefronts into multiple flexible spaces that serve both QIdeas and Haibayo, transitioning retail areas into a civic space for events and community engagement. The overall project aims to prioritize warmth, natural light, and openness, creating a welcoming space for all generations in the heart of the Argyle community. Finishes and fixtures, inspired by Vietnam, Thailand, China, and more, reflect the diversity of the AAPI community, blending traditional elements with contemporary design.
News & Recognition
Block Club Chicago
“QIdeas Plant Shop In Uptown Reopens After Renovations with New Community Center”
Block Club Chicago
“How Argyle’s Second Generation Hopes to Spark A Revival on the Block”
Info
Location: Uptown, Chicago
Client: QIdeas / Haibayo
Progress/Year: Completed, 2024
Team
Builder: VMR Remodeling Inc.
Structural Engineer: Rockey Structures
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer: Calor Design Group
Photography: Annkathrin Murray
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