FINEFAN, a new store of the FINE franchise, is located among old villas on Wulumuqi Road in Shanghai. It is a zakka as well as a canteen, decorated with walnut wood reminiscent of the 1930s Shanghai. By ingenious design of the space, the tiny two-storeyed store accommodates enough shelves for products display as well as dining area and a kitchen. Small but exquisite, every detail in this store deserves your attention.
Firm : Atelier A
Location: Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, China
Category: Restaurant
Project Architect: Yanwen (Lily) Zhu
Team: Rachel Wang
Area: 63 m2
Project Year: 2019
Photographs: Tian Binming
The first thing one perceives upon entering the store is the set of tall shelves from the ground to the ceiling of the second floor, like the inside of Ollivanders in Harry Potter films. The shelves of various sizes and shapes are designed, at the expense of the precious space at the entrance, to display more products for customers to appreciate while going upstairs or waiting for takeaways. At the same time, the two storeys are integrated into one whole.
In order to save space, the kitchen and storage room are hidden under the stairs. Dishes are sent to the dining area upstairs via a dumbwaiter. Old-styled awning windows are installed on the second floor to ensure good ventilation. The whole space of the store appears open and communicative.
Solid walnut wood is used for the decoration of the store as well as all the tailor-made tables and chairs. Painted with simple wax oil to preserve its elegant grain and colour, the wood gives an air of retro-styled solidness and will increase its beauty through time and touch of human hands. At the same time, the tone of the dark colour is lightened by polishing and mouldings.
The store is renovated from an old residence. Some parts of the original walls are preserved to expose concrete blocks, rebar and slabs.
The dining area on the second floor
The ceiling is renovated according to the same principle: apply putty then remove it in order to cover traces of pipes but keep the texture of the original slabs.
The entrance of the ground floor is paved with washed stones common in old Shanghai architecture. With white as the main colour, it contrasts the dark wood and brightens the space.
A large number of pendant lamps of various styles are hanging unevenly from the ceiling.