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Architectural Cases

The Floating Cabin: A Dynamic Architectural Experience in Shanghai's Historic Shipyard

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This captivating architectural endeavor, known as the Floating Cabin, is destined to be a highlight of the 2025 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season (SUSAS). It is strategically positioned on the historic high-pile dock of the Fuxing Island Shipyard Park, nestled within Shanghai's vibrant Yangpu District. Conceived as a supplementary public amenity, it offers a tranquil riverside retreat for both residents and visitors, while also serving as a dynamic venue for various events. The design draws profound inspiration from its surroundings: the towering high-pile dock, the imposing shipbuilding cranes, the utilitarian pump house, and the robust flood control wall collectively echo the profound industrial legacy of the venerable Zhonghua Shipyard. The monumental scale of the shipyard's machinery and infrastructure imbues the site with a unique duality of inertness and latent energy. The aspiration behind the Floating Cabin was to channel this intrinsic character into its architectural form, transforming it into a contemporary spatial experience that transcends conventional building typologies. The term 'Cabin' simultaneously evokes the stark, functional beauty of industrial machinery and signifies a flexible enclosure adaptable to diverse functions. Meanwhile, 'floating' poetically captures its visually suspended structural quality, offering a sense of lightness and detachment.

The Floating Cabin: Reimagining Industrial Heritage for Public Engagement

In a bold move to invigorate public spaces and honor its industrial past, the city of Shanghai will unveil the innovative Floating Cabin at the 2025 Urban Space Art Season. Designed by the visionary architects at Atelier Wen'Arch, this 144 square meter pavilion, slated for completion in 2025, is strategically erected on the high-pile dock of the Fuxing Island Shipyard Park in the Yangpu District. The project, skillfully engineered by AND Office for structural design and constructed by Shanghai Tongcheng Building Technology & Engineering Co, Ltd., with structural drawings by TJAD, is a testament to adaptive reuse and architectural ingenuity. The Floating Cabin is more than just a structure; it is a conceptual bridge between Shanghai's industrial heritage and its future as a hub for art and community. The design consciously integrates elements reminiscent of the shipyard's mechanical grandeur, from the imposing cranes to the robust flood control walls, creating a dialogue between past and present. Its 'floating' aspect, a marvel of structural design, allows the cabin to hover above the water, offering panoramic views and an immersive experience of the riverside environment. This pavilion is envisioned as a versatile public space, providing a serene haven for leisure and a dynamic venue for various cultural events and exhibitions. The project was masterfully curated by Han Shuang, and captured through the lens of photographers Hao Chen and Guowei Liu, preserving its aesthetic and conceptual depth.

The Floating Cabin project serves as a compelling reminder of how architectural innovation can breathe new life into forgotten industrial landscapes. It challenges the traditional notions of fixed structures, instead presenting a dynamic, almost ethereal space that responds to its historical context. This venture inspires us to consider the potential for urban regeneration, where echoes of the past are not erased but thoughtfully integrated and reinterpreted to create forward-looking spaces that cater to contemporary societal needs. It exemplifies how thoughtful design can foster community engagement and offer unique sensory experiences, enriching the urban fabric and promoting a deeper appreciation for both heritage and modernity.

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Architectural Cases

Three Courtyards House: A Brick Facade That Embraces Space

North of Brooklyn Pizzeria & Low Rise Bar in Etobicoke
Architectural Cases

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Soberrijk House: A Resilient Residential Oasis in Ghent
Architectural Cases

Soberrijk House: A Resilient Residential Oasis in Ghent

Architectural Cases

The 1999's Coffee: A Modern Oasis in Ho Chi Minh City by KQI Architect

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KQI Architect's "The 1999's Coffee" is an architectural gem located on a busy street in Ho Chi Minh City, designed to be more than just a coffee shop but a peaceful sanctuary in the midst of the vibrant urban landscape. This project embodies an innovative design philosophy that harmonizes with its surroundings while offering a unique space for relaxation and contemplation.

Experience Serenity in the City: The 1999's Coffee

A Prominent Urban Corner Transformed

Situated strategically on a bustling thoroughfare in Bà Rịa Ward, The 1999's Coffee by KQI Architect commands attention as a fresh focal point in a rapidly evolving urban setting. The establishment was envisioned not merely as a place for beverages but as a powerful architectural statement, providing a tranquil haven against the city's relentless rhythm.

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Architectural Cases

Family Home Expansion in Bagnolet, France by 127af

MUDA-Architects Transforms Xi'an's Historic Landscape with the Younch Hotel
Architectural Cases

MUDA-Architects Transforms Xi'an's Historic Landscape with the Younch Hotel

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Architectural Cases

Abbott Claim Winery: A Fusion of Architecture and Nature in Yamhill-Carlton

Architectural Cases

MARUS COFFEE & Coffee Academy / Atelier IN

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The MARUS COFFEE & Coffee Academy project by Atelier IN in Suzhou is a thoughtful reimagining of a commercial space that blends contemporary design with traditional Chinese architectural principles. The architects drew inspiration from the city's rich heritage of garden architecture, abstracting elements such as pavilions, corridors, and strategic views to infuse the coffee academy with a unique sense of place and spatial fluidity. This approach addresses the historical context of the original building, which had undergone a renovation in 2012 that enclosed its lower-floor columned corridors with glass curtain walls, effectively severing the connection between the interior and exterior environments. The new design aims to restore and enhance this connection, fostering a more engaging and aesthetically pleasing experience for visitors while respecting the building's inherent attributes.

The redesign transcends mere aesthetic enhancement, delving into the foundational principles of traditional garden design to craft an immersive and culturally resonant environment. By carefully integrating the concepts of 'pavilions' (distinct architectural features offering specific focal points), 'corridors' (transitional spaces guiding movement and perception), and 'views' (curated perspectives that connect indoor and outdoor realms), Atelier IN transforms the coffee academy into a dynamic interplay of forms and functions. This project not only revives the architectural essence that was lost in previous modifications but also establishes a fresh dialogue between modern usage and historical context, showcasing how deep cultural roots can inspire innovative and sensitive contemporary architecture.

Architectural Inspiration: Traditional Suzhou Gardens

The design of MARUS COFFEE & Coffee Academy by Atelier IN in Suzhou masterfully integrates elements from traditional Chinese garden architecture to create a unique and harmonious space. Recognizing Suzhou's distinctive architectural character, the architects extracted three core concepts—"pavilions," "corridors," and "views"—and applied them to the existing building. This approach aimed to reinterpret the original structure, which had its lower-floor columned corridors obscured by glass curtain walls during a 2012 renovation, separating interior and exterior spaces. The new design sought to re-establish a seamless flow and visual connection, enriching the coffee academy's atmosphere with a profound sense of cultural heritage and spatial intrigue.

Atelier IN's design strategy for MARUS COFFEE & Coffee Academy is rooted in a deep appreciation for Suzhou's architectural legacy, particularly its classical gardens. The chosen elements—pavilions, corridors, and views—are fundamental to these gardens, serving not just as decorative features but as integral components of their spatial narrative. Pavilions act as focal points and gathering spaces; corridors guide visitors through a curated sequence of experiences; and carefully framed views connect the indoor environment with the natural or built surroundings. By abstracting these concepts, the architects moved beyond superficial imitation to imbue the coffee academy with the spirit of Suzhou's traditional architecture, transforming a mere commercial space into a place that invites contemplation and engagement. This integration is particularly noteworthy given the site's history, where a previous renovation had inadvertently detached the building from its context by enclosing its open corridors. The current design reverses this trend, opening up the space and allowing for a more fluid interaction between the interior and the external environment, thereby enhancing both the functionality and the aesthetic appeal of the coffee academy.

Re-envisioning the Coffee Academy's Spatial Experience

The redesign by Atelier IN for MARUS COFFEE & Coffee Academy focused on re-establishing a natural connection between the building's interior and exterior, a relationship that had been diminished by prior renovations. The intervention sought to enhance the spatial experience by drawing on traditional architectural motifs, thereby restoring a sense of continuity and openness. The lower floor, once enclosed by glass curtain walls that isolated the interior from its surroundings, was revitalized to integrate the columned corridors into the overall design. This transformation aimed to create a coherent and inviting environment that resonated with Suzhou's architectural identity, moving beyond a simple functional space to one that fosters cultural appreciation and a sense of belonging.

Central to Atelier IN's renovation of the coffee academy was the objective of transcending the previous renovation's limitations, which had resulted in a rigid separation of indoor and outdoor areas. The architects' approach was not merely about aesthetic upgrades but about fundamentally rethinking the building's interaction with its environment. By carefully abstracting and integrating elements like pavilions, corridors, and views, they established a dynamic spatial flow. This meant meticulously designing transitional zones that encourage movement and interaction, creating framed vistas that connect the internal spaces with the external landscape, and crafting distinct areas that serve as contemplative retreats or vibrant social hubs. The goal was to eliminate the perceived barrier between inside and outside, allowing light, air, and visual interest to permeate the entire facility. This holistic design strategy not only revitalized the coffee academy's physical space but also infused it with a renewed sense of purpose and identity, celebrating Suzhou's rich architectural heritage while offering a contemporary setting for coffee enthusiasts and learners alike.

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