Shenzhen-based design office BloomDesign has brought a fresh atmosphere and new taste in the heritage site of Shenzhen by using all-white solid-void volumes and floor-to-ceiling glazing, which creates a sharp contrast between old and new. 

Named MarierWagashi, the old cake shop is conceived as the first heritage cake shop located in the city of Shangmeilin, Shenzhen - and it is run by a 64-years-old Maruyama, founder of this Marier brand - whose lifelong pursuit of best cake manifests the professional spirit of striving for the perfection. The founder wanted to tell this story through the language of design, according to BloomDesign.

The MarierWagashi cake shop take place in the ground floor of an old building in an old community, with an air of detachment from the urban hustle. The historic cake shop was renovated with a minimalist touch and pure architectural language that refresh the street view with small green infills.

BloomDesign, inheriting the plain philosophy of "selecting natural ingredients to make the best cake" that Marier brand has insisted for over 40 years, keeps highly restrained in design and awestruck for nature, takes advantage of the natural elements to embellish large area of blank-leaving, creates an experiencing space combined with actual and visual scenes, thus illustrating the simple and reserved qualities of Marier brand.

The studio uses a raw stone taken from mine surface, original wood without processing, terrazzo flooring of traditional retro feature inside the space - these details abandon decorative or foppish appearance, instead, pursue authentic and pure beauty.

"Old tree outside the window interacts with huge original rock inside the shop through narrow glass curtain wall, bringing Nature back to city and immersing clients in its blessing. Enjoy a sip of Taiwan cold-brewing tea, matching with one bite of Japanese wagashi, leisurely afternoon tea time gives a special texture to life," said BloomDesign.

"All of the design solutions follow Marier brand’s idea of natural health, from the earth-like color, natural texture to unadorned furnishings, natural ornament."

Through minimalistic visual language and design techniques, BloomDesign presents multi-level artistic conception of "seeing a mountain in a rock and a forest in a tree" that is typical in oriental context.

"It seems like clients are exposed in a world that exists as naturally as breathe, that lies in yet away from the bustling city," architects added.

Floor plan with functions

Project facts

Design company: BloomDesign 

Design range: branding, interiors, lighting

Creative director: Li Baolong, Chen Xiaohu

Project team: Qiu Wendi, Zhang Renqiang

Project location: Shenzhen, China

Building area: 117 m2

Lighting design: Ding Jie

Construction company: HeiZhuangXiu

Stone supplier: Da Gang Stone

Coating supplier: Buoncolor

Lighting supplier: KA Lights, iGuzzini

Design period: 2016.10-2016.12

Construction period: 2017.03-2017.05

All images © Nie Xiaocong

> via BloomDesign