Red Rouge in Shanghai, China by 100architects

Article source: 100architects

The proposal for Bar Rouge arises to reinterpret the known skyline of Shanghai.

To face this exercise we have imposed ourselves the requirement of pulling out the most recognizable feature of Bar Rouge, that specific thing which distinguishes Bar Rouge from the rest of clubs and bars in town.

That thing was clear for us; The stunning views of Shanghai’s most known skyline of Pudong.

Bar Rouge counts with Shanghai’s most privileged balcony, where you can sit down with your well served cocktail and enjoy the most amazing views over the new area of Pudong, which by themselves are an entertaining feature of Bar Rouge´s terrace.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

• Architects: 100architects
• Project: Red Rouge 
• Location: Shanghai, China

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Having this first assumption clear, the second self-imposed premise was that the intervention in the outdoor area of Bar Rouge should maximize its visual impact, transforming the way the space is conceived, while minimizing its interference on the normal course of the business activity of the Bar.

All in all, we ended up with the following key words before starting the design process:  skyline, terrace, visual impact and business activity.

Client

This is a project proposed to VOL group; a leading actor of the food and beverage industry in Shanghai.

Theoretical framework

In 100architects we believe that social dynamics and public interactions occur not just in public spaces, such as public squares, streets, parks, etc… but also in what we call ¨semi-public spaces¨. Spaces which without strictly belonging to the public domain, but to a private entity instead, they do actually belong to the public realm of its city, they do actually have a strong public character, given by its ability of gathering people, by their flow and interaction, where almost the same social relationships and uses as in a public space can take place.

Though, we consider that there is just a slight difference on its conceptual technicality: what for a public space are PEOPLE, for a semi-public space become USERS.

That is exactly the case of Bar Rouge, a restaurant/club located on the rooftop of a landmark building of Shanghai, the Bund 18, where relevant art galleries, exclusive brands and fine restaurants together convert the building into one of the epicenters of social interactions in Shanghai.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Context

Bar Rouge enjoys of an extraordinary location not only in Shanghai but in the world, It has one of the terraces that has more traffic in the city with probably the best view to the massive international attraction Pudong.  The terrace, as it is right now is a wonderful terrace that could be anywhere in the world, but does not necessarily reflects Bar Rouge situation.

Therefore, we have through this proposal have aimed to give an answer to that situation.

Concept
From the previous keywords was born the concept idea for the RED ROUGE, a new VIP Lounge area, right on the edge of the terrace, which would substitute the existing lounge sofas, and would visually compete with the known background skyline, creating a new usable skyline-shaped architectural object which would attract the attention of clients, generate new dynamics, and frame or “sign” the most photographed view of Bar Rouge.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Objective
The objective with the RED ROUGE is to totally transform the current perception of the space while not only not interfering the normal course of the business activity, but also boosting its revenue into a new level instead, through a more contemporary and metropolitan way of understanding a VIP area.

We are aiming to create an object that could host the same or more amount of people as it is now.
Ultimately, it is to create a real and unique attractor that could become part of the identity of Bar Rouge busting its best qualities.

Functions

The objects is composed by 5 shapes that host 5 different ways of inhabiting the VIP object.

1_Table-seating area: This table host the common table-drinks activity for groups. It can host up to 6 to 8 people. The wall has a showcase embedded in it to exhibit drinks.

2_Lounge cubes: It is for informal seating of 6 to 7 people. Around it self there is enough space for people standing.

3_The grandstand: From the left is curved proposing a new way of using the space, introducing an area that would be interesting to look at, and will produce curiosity. For to use it, we have placed 3 benches far from the angles capable of hosting 3 people. From the right is a grandstand of 3 levels capable of hosting 9 people.

4_The bench: It is a simple seating element. It can host  up to 6 people.

5_Projection wall: It is a wall that can be used to project some images, movies. It also provides space for 3 people seating.

The rarity of those shapes, provides not only an eye catching element, but importantly, a object that invites to interact differently. The idea of being in a VIP area is different. It is enhanced. In Bar Rouge us unique.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Materiality

The object is constructed entirely in Corian Solid Surface. Originally designed for being used in kitchen and bathroom surfaces, this material has lately become very popular and famous among architects, designers and artists due to its high performance and outstanding aesthetics.

Its wide range of design choices and possibilities for aesthetic expressions, besides its visual stunning and long-lasting properties, has made from Corian one of the top materials used in the design market.

It allows flowing surfaces, virtually seamless, organic shapes, bold effects and color translucency, combining a fancy look with a high functionality.

Apart from homes, nowadays is being used in hospitals, restaurants and public spaces, since it performs perfectly both indoor and outdoor.

Since Red Rouge is an object that lies between furniture, sculpture, piece of art and public space, we consider highly convenient and suitable to use this material, to boost its visual aesthetic impact.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Color Choice

Obviously, since the corporative color of Bar Rouge is red, and therefore our installations has been called Red Rouge, we couldn’t choose any other color than RED.

From all the different red colors available for Corian, we  consider its DH906 HOT the nicest one for this specific project.

However, its Royal Red version could be also suitable.

Its shiny and glazy look will add an elegant and modern look to the object. That’s why we have decided to make the entire VIP area in one single color, to strengthen and boost its image and visual impact on the terrace.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

100architects

100architects offers design consultancy services for urban attractors, creating architectural objects that attract users and customers, promoting brands and products.

100architects was born aiming to explore the thin boundaries between public leisure and urban marketing.

We specialize in street architecture & urban interventions impacting the known cityscape by creating a link between the brand and the potential customer through urban interventions, which invite the users to interact, encouraging the occurrence of social dynamics.

100architects was founded in 2013 in Shanghai, and is currently led by 4 partners – Marcial Jesus (Chile), Madalena Sales (Portugal), Pablo Juica (Chile) and Javier Gonzalez (Spain) – establishing an international collaborative workshop based in Shanghai, China.

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Image Courtesy © 100architects

Tags: China, Shanghai

Category: Bar

This entry was posted on Friday, March 11th, 2016 at 6:46 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.