WAT Green Urban Jungle Social Retail And Cocktail Bar

WAT Green Urban Jungle Social Retail And Cocktail Bar

WAT Green Urban Jungle Social Retail and Cocktail Bar is an innovative architectural interior design project that reimagines social retail and nightlife spaces through a distinctive minimalist approach. Located in Shanghai's Jing'an District, this compact yet meticulously crafted space spans 40 square meters within a rectangular volume of 8 meters length, 5 meters width, and 4 meters height. The design, conceived by architect Chen Lin and team, masterfully integrates contemporary urban aesthetics with functional retail and hospitality elements. The space's defining characteristic is its comprehensive green terrazzo tile cladding, achieved through an innovative engineering solution that enables the application of this traditionally floor-bound material across walls and ceiling using aluminum honeycomb board backing. The interior's focal point is an elongated counter featuring a rotating belt system for cocktail service, enhanced by a suspended electronic message board that follows its contours. The design incorporates large street-facing windows that serve dual purposes: flooding the space with natural light and providing an intimate seating area with seven counter stools. This versatile establishment transitions seamlessly between daytime retail operations and evening cocktail service through thoughtful material selections, including celadon terrazzo and snowflake metal plate, complemented by adaptive lighting and atmospheric elements. The project, which earned a Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category, exemplifies the philosophy that architecture should encompass both space and event, successfully creating a green urban jungle that balances restrained design with vibrant urbanism.

sustainable interior design, urban social space, innovative retail concept, contemporary bar design, minimalist architecture, experiential hospitality

— Adam Dawson