Element Store / atelier tao+c

Design Statement. No. 1381-1 Yuyuan Road, stands set back 30 meters from the bustling main street, leaving a modest forecourt that separates it from the urban hustle. Home to Element - a fashion boutique in Shanghai that has attracted much attention in recent years, the modest three-story building is surrounded by rows of houses and commercial buildings, presenting only a front façade to passersby. It appears quiet and restraint amidst the lively neighborhood, whilst could be easily overlooked. Through meticulous observations of the urban interface and detailed investigations of the building's inherent qualities, Atelier tao+c has reimagined a community-oriented renovation of Element's store.