architecture studio case pavilion designs the 20 sqm ‘slab town café’ in the heart of shanghai’s former french concession. reflective corrugated aluminum panels clothe the cafe’s walls, while a mirror surface creates a link between the interior, the street, and the uncommonly-shaped terrace.20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghaiall images courtesy of alessandro wang

 

 

the aim of case pavilion was to incorporate the outdoor imagery into the interior layout. the shanghai-based architects built a skirting as high as the door with two different materials and arranged the reflective corrugated aluminum panels on the light-prone walls along the interior centerline. the same panel is used inverted to create a negative, textured, light green mortar, which was applied to the backlit wall and wrapped around the concrete seats. these two different approaches create a unified modular rhythm and a strong contrast of textures.20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai

 

 

although the interior area is only 20 sqm, it showcases a neat east-facing street façade and a rare south-facing courtyard. the courtyard, with its wild landscape, takes shape as an isolated and primitive space right next to the bustling urban fabric. as multiple families shared the common space in history, the neighborhood’s interaction remained complicated, and the terrace was formed to an unusual contour.20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai

 

 

a visual structure connects the inside, the outside, and the terrace, influenced by the technique ‘mise en abyme’. ‘therefore, between the indoor seats and the steps leading to the terrace a mirror facing the street,’ mentions case pavilion. the light green mortar is molded and pressed with the corrugated aluminum panel, together juxtaposed to separate the bar area and the guest seating area. ‘this duo material treatment reflects our understanding of indoor-outdoor continuity,’ adds the studio.20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghaislab town cafe shanghai fumin road 1120 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghai
20 sqm case pavilion's 'slab town café' with a strong contrast of textures settles in shanghaiaxonometric view: mirror as the visual structure of the street, interior, and courtyard

 

 

project info:

 

name: slab town café

architect: case pavilion

total floor area: 20 sqm

location: fumin road, shanghai, china

 

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edited by: christina petridou | designboom