Led by Xu Liang, Liang Architecture Studio designed the new Tomacado restaurant Shanghai’s International Finance Center (IFC) as a destination that combines catering services with a flower shop in a heavenly and peaceful retreat form the noisy city.
Liang Architecture Studio take the approach that space is formed by objects. As such, objects are the basis of functions, and also carriers of the circulation route. The architects explain further that relationship between objects and vectors can visually bring a strong sense of rhythm to space, blurring interfaces and making spaces more playful.
The designers integrated the natural form and beauty of flowers into the space through deconstruction techniques. The overall space is full of floral aesthetics, which echoes the brand's concept of conveying beauty and love and meanwhile brings new experiences. The beautiful and elegant magnolia denudata, the city flower of Shanghai, turns into a floral art installation at the staircase space. The blooming “flowers” embrace sunlight, showing a graceful aesthetic and a dynamic posture.
The exterior of the restaurant draws on the form of petals, and the plaster reliefs on it vividly present floral forms. The circulation subtly leads to the depth of space, generating a romantic atmosphere and allowing guests to enjoy the play of natural light and shadows.
The curved structures connect ceiling, walls and floor, shaping a soft space infused with rhythm. Throughout, the textures of the spaces and structures are simple, with greyish white concrete setting the main spatial tone. This understated approach serves to showcase the expressing curving geometries as well the main stars of the space – flowers.
