Blue Bottle Zhang Yuan Cafe design by Neri&Hu
The most famous garden in Shanghai, Zhang Yuan, developed into one of the earliest public and commercial spaces in modern China, exemplifying and leading the emergence of a new Chinese urban lifestyle at the end of the 19th century. After a complete rehabilitation of Zhang Yuan's historic buildings, Blue Bottle commissioned Neri&Hu to create a retail space within one of the old Shikumen typology residences in 2022. In Shanghai, coffee initiates a dialogue between the city's rich history and its contemporary social landscape.
The most famous garden in Shanghai, Zhang Yuan, developed into one of the earliest public and commercial spaces in modern China, exemplifying and leading the emergence of a new Chinese urban lifestyle at the end of the 19th century. After a complete rehabilitation of Zhang Yuan's historic buildings, Blue Bottle commissioned Neri&Hu to create a retail space within one of the old Shikumen typology residences in 2022. In Shanghai, coffee initiates a dialogue between the city's rich history and its contemporary social landscape.
Amidst the architectural relics of Zhang Yuan, where the city’s collective memory resides, one can imagine this scene described by Chinese writer Mu Xin - people scattered about in the shadowy lanes of Shanghai at sunset like tiny crabs scurrying in and out of their sandy shelters. In this vast network of alleys, people carried on about their daily lives, but there was always time for leisure for the Shanghainese. Both locals and visitors can enjoy Neri&Hu's narrative journey by capturing the spirit of the local urban fabric.
The existing brick walls, doors, and windows of the original architectural façades and atriums are preserved according to historic preservation guidelines. This leaves them as a continuous backdrop for the addition of new design elements. A primitive shelter forms the visual and circulatory focal point of the project; it is where coffee is prepared and served, and represents a return to the origins of architecture. An elongated space connects the main street to the atrium along the old building's exterior wall. As a nod to the leisurely social moments of life in Shikumen, this alley-like building space includes benches and small tables against the windows and walls.
Neri&Hu studied the structure and its tectonic joinery meticulously to make it as light as possible, in contrast to the heavy palette of the existing architecture. Stainless steel is used for the roof structure while perforated and bent steel is used for the roof surface, reflecting the surroundings subtly and fuzzy. Neri&Hu also were inspired by the informal construction and simple attachments that people once used to extend their private spaces into the alley, so the existing structural columns are commandeered with metal rods and small platforms that serve as light rails, benches, side tables, and objects. This project incorporates repurposed traditional old furniture, whose traces of time impart a sense of warmth and familiarity, merging the old and the new, Blue Bottle and Shanghai.
Primitive Shelter
Blue Bottle Zhang Yuan Cafe
Site Address: W5-1A, 240 North Maoming Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China
Completion: November 2022
Client: Blue Bottle Coffee
Project Type: Interior
Program: Cafe
Gross area: 175 sqm
Partners-in-charge: Lyndon Neri, Rossana Hu
Associate-in-charge: Qiucheng Li
Design team: Jiaxin Zhang, Xi Chen, Peizheng Zou, Shangyun Zhou, Greg Wu, Luna Hong
Interior design: Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
FF&E design and procurement: Design Republic
General contractor: Blue Peak Image Producing Co., Ltd
Photos: Zhu Runzi
Award Winning Artist Lucas Zanotto Launches First Solo Exhibition, MOODS, in Shanghai
Italian designer, director, and artist Lucas Zanotto brings delightful kinetic characters to life in his first solo exhibition, MOODS, opening December 28th at the historical former St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai. Hosted by M:87, the multimedia exhibition taps into a new space in the art world, combining life sized physical sculptures with a medley of digital techniques including an augmented reality (AR) installation in collaboration with Acute Art.
Italian designer, director, and artist Lucas Zanotto brings delightful kinetic characters to life in his first solo exhibition, MOODS, opening December 28th at the historical former St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai. Hosted by M:87, the multimedia exhibition taps into a new space in the art world, combining life sized physical sculptures with a medley of digital techniques including an augmented reality (AR) installation in collaboration with Acute Art.
A winner of international art and design accolades including the Cannes Golden Lion and the Apple Design Award, Lucas has directed numerous animations and films. He has collaborated with artists including KAWS, Josh Sperling and Felipe Pantone, and worked with brands including Google, Amazon, to name a few. Having ventured in the NFT world a few years ago, Zanotto now brings his iconic digital work into the physical art realm with his very first exhibition.
Flipping Mood, CGI Animation, 2021, source: Lucas Zanotto
“It’s an honor to be debuting my first solo exhibition in Shanghai with M:87. Following Covid-19 mandated restrictions that have left artists and art lovers across the world stuck at home, I’m beyond grateful that my immersive exhibition can be experienced in person and in real time. From CGI animation and blackbox projections to AR installations and life-size sculptures, there is a medium for everyone to enjoy in MOODS.”
Playground, CGI Animation, 2021, source: Lucas Zanotto
Behind the artist’s comforting and relaxed artworks lie profound insights into the digital age. An expert in digital art, Zanotto masterfully melds a simple design language with a playful color collection and captivating kinetic motion to deliver works of indescribable spiritual delight. He is best known for his big-eyed kinetic sculpture characters and animated loops, which have taken social media by storm. In the past year, Zanotto has made waves in the NFT world, using the crypto market to spread joy through his lovable geometric characters.
In MOODS, Zanotto constructs a multidimensional event using modeling, materials, and renderings. The contemporary exhibition will be held at the historical St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai, a former Christian girls school dating back to 1881.
Historical St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai, a former Christian girls school dating back to 1881.
The exhibition space is divided into seven zones encompassing CGI animation, sculpture, installation, projection, public art, AR artwork, art merchandise, and more. From life-size fiberglass sculptures displayed in the church halls to charming AR characters that can be viewed from different vantage points, audiences can fully engage their senses and immerse themselves in the multimedia experience that is MOODS.
Visitors will be welcomed by six meter tall character balloons on the lawn outside of the church, while Zanotto’s signature “eyes” will greet visitors from the church’s windows and curtain door. Inside the church halls, showcased within nine stunning arches will be the artist’s signature kinetic videos played on loop. At the end of the hall will be a specially curated black box, an immersive room which guests can enter to be surrounded and mesmerized by Zanotto’s iconic animation projections. Integral to Zanotto’s works, music is combined with each animation in order to bring audiences visual and auditory comfort. Installations like “Watery Eyes” will allow visitors to interact with and appreciate the art in another medium.
Take Home MOODS Merchandise
Created specially for this exhibition are 50 sets of limited edition MOODS sculptures featuring five of Lucas Zanotto’s iconic animation characters, “Ehhh,” “Ohhh,” “Mhhh,” “Uhhh,” and “Ahhh”. 20 limited edition wooden versions of the sculptures will also be available for purchase on a first come first serve basis. Take home and call this adorable collection your own along with a special NFT certificate backed by EchoX. Specially designed and available for sale at the exhibition also include MOODS merchandise such as tote bags, clocks, mood tower prints, and magnets.
The limited edition mini MOODS sculpture sets and the full range of merchandise will also be available worldwide via www.m87inno.com and on the M:87 WeChat page, M87art.
M:87 Presents Lucas Zanotto’s MOODS
Date: 28th December - 23rd January 2021
VIP and media preview day: 27th December
Time: Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 10 am-7pm
Location: Raffles City, Changning, Shanghai
For more information on M:87 and MOODS, including exhibition details, address and opening hours, please visit http://www.m87inno.com.