LEVELING EARTH

CLIENT
LOCATION
COMPLETION
GFA
SCOPE
DESIGN TEAM
PHOTOGRAPHY Rooted
Shanghai, China
December 2023
150 m2
 Interior Design 
Josh Ren, Baoer Wang
Wen Studio

ROOTED is located in a quiet corner of the bustling French Concession, sprouting in the secluded courtyard deep within the neighborhood lanes. This floral design studio draws inspiration from the simple and raw elements of nature, with the aim of reawakening people's connection to nature through floral practices. Much like planting a flower, from excavation and cleaning to planting and filling the soil, Studio Profile's inspiration takes root in these processes.

EXCAVATION
The design process begins with excavation
To establish roots in a residential area, deep excavation is needed to reveal the soil. The original space was overly decorated by layers of makeovers from past residents. Removing the surface of the walls exposes uneven bricks and layers of plaster, preserving the original texture that has been unearthed. Non-structural walls were punctured to allow more air and light to enter. Digging through multiple layers of flooring reveals the nurturing soil in the garden, creating possibilities for flower bed planting.

CLEANING
Unify spaces through simple gestures
During the demolition process, a layer of protective black paint has been applied to the original doors and window frames, preserving their old textures. All new structures and traces of excavation are covered in white, unifying the various old and new structures through simple washes of color.

SOWING
Space planning
Our spatial planning process is akin to planting seeds. ROOTED is mainly composed of five functional areas: front garden, floral studio, event exhibition space, fresh flower cold storage space, and rear garden. The front garden greets the guests as a secret oasis, with irregularly cut garden paths leading people into the floral studio. The glasshouse in the garden serves as an exhibition and activity space. Old doors were removed to connect the floral studio, cold storage space, and the back room. Instead, a perforated metal sliding door has been introduced as a flexible spatial divider with display functions. Different arrangements of T5 fluorescent tubes distinguish and illuminate various areas of ROOTED.

LEVELING
Soil filling
The original space had different floor heights. So, similar to leveling soil after sowing, a single cement material is used to create a smooth surface across the entire space. A rammed earth block has been cast in place, serving as the main workstation for ROOTED. The earth platform’s natural grains and weightiness ground the space, embodying the “rooted” spirit of the studio.

In this vibrant city, ROOTED studio carefully nurtures plants and strives to naturally integrate various contradictions in design projects. A harmonious relationship is created by balancing tranquility with vitality, the past with the present, and solidity with lightness.








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