Melt Season Flagship at Taiyuan

Melt Season, Taiyuan Road, Shanghai “Sculpting Tranquility in a Historically Preserved Building” The founder of a newly merging oriental fragrance brand is establishing its first pilot flagship in Shanghai. The founder believes that your senses focus on the present olfactory experience, where self-awareness, contradictions, and harmony coexist. The brand's pilot flagship is situated on Taiyuan Road in Shanghai, a place of historical significance. This location holds special importance as it was once the residence of Cheng Nien, who was renowned as the "last socialite of Shanghai." After conducting extensive on-site surveys in the Conservation Area for a period of 8 months, the team ultimately selected this site. It offers a convenient location and a serene ambience perfect for olfactory experiences. The design aims to continue the historical and cultural context of old Shanghai, immersing people in the sensory experience of scent. The space transformation preserves existing Chinese water pine trees while connecting the past and present of the Spanish-style garden villa. At the entrance, a white "picture frame" acts as a garden-style partition, creating an interplay between the interior and exterior. Guided by white pebbles, visitors enter the garden adorned with a changing maple tree and flourishing common flowers and herbal fragrances. The historical preservation status of the building posed significant limitations during the transformation process. The design team opted for a dynamic approach, aiming to create a sculpture-like space that harmoniously blended with the existing architectural elements. Skilled craftsmen used pure microcement to create a seamless and elegant design. The light beige colour throughout the two levels evokes tranquillity and resembles natural surroundings. The first floor is versatile, allowing for flexible arrangements. Microcement connects the ceiling, facade, and floor, fostering a captivating ambiance akin to a primitive cave. Thoughtful lighting adds depth, while naturally oxidized brass in the cement introduces a striking contrast of delicacy and resilience. Walking through the passage and ascending the stairs, visitors are greeted by a bright and refreshing space. In contrast to the first floor. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows seamlessly integrate the surrounding garden scenery, creating a natural and ever-changing backdrop that shifts with the seasons. The aged wooden ceiling silently bears witness to the passage of time. On the upper floor, we have restored the original timber roof structure of the heritage. The homogenous surface extending from the ground floor space stays below a datum from the ceiling, letting the beautiful timber trusses be seen and admired. The walls around continue the micro-cement craftsmanship. In the centre of the space, the change in materials highlights the form of the display counter. Polished natural sandstone slabs become the visual centre of the second floor, with products arranged above them. Fragrance, space, and nature intertwine here to create an elegant and poetic melody. This is the Eastern conceptual interpretation of the brand and the design team, balancing the relationship between humans, objects, and nature within the space.