architecture studio dazhou and associates unveils ‘M pavilion’, a small coffee shop commissioned by ‘M stand’, situated within the lobby of an office building in xuhui district, shanghai. the project takes shape as a light, delicate scaffolding structure with translucent skin, constructed rapidly as a light touch to the site. the design seeks to generate a warm, relaxed space, where employees can take a break from the rigorous working atmosphere that surrounds them.
image courtesy of tian fangfang
the slender scaffolding pavilion is slightly cantilevered, looking like it’s floating above the ground. meanwhile, translucent skin wraps around the structure and generates a contrasting effect with the heavy volume of the office building, attracting the attention of passers-by. ‘delicate roughness rough, temporary, shabby, industrialized, and non-architectural, a scaffolding always bring unfriendly feelings, but it fascinates us,’ dazhou and associates mention. ‘we hope that through precise design and millimeter-scale construction, we can give scaffolding a decent completion while stripping away all its temporary and rough social meaning and gradually approaching its essence’.
in order to restrict the construction process to just 10 days, the studio came up with an adaptive system with only one component prototype and very few variations. this system covers all aspects including structure, envelope, bar worktops, lighting, and foundation floor, making it possible to ensure both beauty and functionality through this rapid procedure.
the sunlight is filtered by the translucent curtains and scattered in the air, wrapping the office workers who visit the pavilion. early in the morning, or when the sun sets, the lantern-like lighting fills the space with warm light. in this way, ‘M pavilion becomes a temple of light’ as the studio says, with the light permeating the structure and shining on people passing by.
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
image courtesy of tian fangfang
name: M pavilion designer: dazhou and associates location: xuhui district, shanghai
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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom
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