Studio Box

Changning, Shanghai, China

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Studio Box

Changning, Shanghai, China

Type

Commercial › Retail

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2011

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

In the rush to economic growth, a class of nouveau riche development (styled after preconceived notions of western opulence) has sprouted a whole generation of architectural clichés in Shanghai. This generation of residential and commercial buildings draped in classical orders and ostensibly opulent materials among the existing urban fabric of pre and post revolutionary Shanghai is the prevalent cultural expression of having arrived economically and socially.The design of the Studio Box furniture showroom sought to distinguish itself from this chaotic jumble of new architectural clichés and existing urban form to create a moment of clarity, while crafting a new brand identity for the furniture boutique through architecture. Instead of competing with the surrounding context on its turf, the approach was to change the game all together. All elements of style and materiality were stripped; an ambiguous white form neutralizes any relationship to its context. This new autonomous figure denies any immediate reading of its function other than a large glass opening, providing views into the furniture gallery inside. At the same time the object reaches out to its context, like a piece of urban furniture, with a large protruding mouth allowing passers-by an opportunity to rest while viewing the merchandise inside.