Society Particular (SOPA) have worked closely with Topsports to define the architectural identity of ektos, a specialist store selling running gear that houses the global vanguard of independent technical brands, including Soar, Ciele, norda, and Norrøna.

In a sector currently polarized between the clinical "cold tech" aesthetic of brands like Descente and the theatrical "fake nature" (fiberglass rocks and synthetic grass) often seen in Arc'teryx retail, ektos takes a radically different approach. It offers a "more relaxed and curated" atmosphere—a place where the running community can genuinely feel at home.

This feeling of "home" is determined by the form and feel of the unit itself: a 1920s ten-bay service building on Yuyuan Road. Rather than correcting the existing imperfections—non-plumb walls and irregular timber trusses—SOPA retained them as a foundational texture, creating a warm, authentic backdrop that resonates with the distinct, design-led ethos of brands like Soar and Ciele.

The design balances precision engineering with the casual rhythms of street life. A legible "kit-of-parts"—a suspended grid of slender tension cables—hangs beneath the original beams. This lightweight armature allows products to be displayed with a "curated" clarity, devoid of the heavy joinery found in traditional retail.

Crucially, the architecture supports the concept of a "runner's living room". Full-height wood-framed pivot windows dissolve the threshold, merging the interior’s raised timber platform with the alley. The ektos project demonstrates that the future of physical retail is not about being the most immersive, but the most useful. By architecting a space that is permeable, adaptable, and genuinely serves its community’s needs, brands can create durable relationships that transcend the volatility of shopping trends. It’s a model that proves the most valuable “experience” a store can offer is uncomplicated, everyday utility.