ACQUARIUM | Atelier ba

ACQUARIUM settles into the new night life entertainment hub in Shanghai. Due to the
project’s location, the plan does not rely on the pre‐existing square, thus erecting it
autonomously. The previously installed four meter high windows enhance the three
dimensional space, giving it sublime proportions.
Dynamism in a static space lead to the concept of this lounge — entirely glazing the
space with different objects inside and people moving around, resembling a fish tank.
Enclosed space to define atmosphere but open to the visitor sight to get the attention.
Our main goal is to define those boundaries.
We decided to kept those windows, the line between public and private space, as a key
point and enhance their importance with a curtain chain which will add movement
and a soft characteristic to the huge glass surface yet to keep the privacy.
The line between serving space and seating area, become a subtle wall that
holds copper and glass shelves, holding the necessary kitchenware. The kitchen is
nested on the back part but open to the tank tearing a horizontal window.
Once inside the tank, the sequence continues with the bar built in concrete and
weathering steel follow by a 4 m long concrete table through the main axis of the
space. The flexible use of the concrete table hosts both the clients and the staff. This
split in two the space where the copper and marble tables will be distributed.
The upper part of the tank, the skyline, is firmly colonized by a three dimensional
cooper plating structure and bamboo panelling disposed in different direction which
holds all the lighting and equipment.
Bespoke furniture built in green marble and leather combines with copper and
concrete while the doors received different treatment. The main entrance will
welcome the guest with a rather heavy yet moveable weathering steel and bamboo
from Anji. The interior opens to the side corridor with a cooper plating door and the
kitchen is connected to the corridor with aluminium panel door.