GE Space Design has recently completed work on MEDISN·RESET, the second store of Yaochang MEDISN, situated at the gracefully curved corner of D10 Tianfu Commercial Street in Chengdu’s Jinjiang District. The project offers a captivating blend of vibrant city life and the serene beauty of its surroundings. Nestled alongside the enchanting Hongji Lane, adorned with majestic paulownia and ginkgo trees, this establishment effortlessly merges the energy of daily activity with the captivating urban landscape.
The space exudes an atmosphere of utopian ideals, serving as a captivating testing ground for innovative concepts and visionary aspirations. An intricate network of spatial extension and transmutation laws has been meticulously crafted, seamlessly spanning from the exterior to the interior and from the lower levels to the uppermost heights. The term “reset” in the context of this space not only highlights the significance and suggestion of it being the second establishment of the renowned MEDISN craft brew bar brand, but also alludes to the potential for establishing fresh spatial relationships that transcend temporal and spatial limitations. These connections encompass a wide range of elements such as community, coffee, craft brew, music, vision, TATTOO, exhibition, culture, and more.
The design of the entrance emphasizes the community attributes of the space, creating a seamless integration with the surrounding environment. This approach generates a striking contrast between the interior space, the external area, and the city street, enhancing the overall visual impact. The absence of a distinct physical demarcation between the street and the external area creates a seamless integration, blurring the boundaries between the urban public domain and the surrounding space. This design approach effectively extends the sense of community from the street into the area, while also serving as a transitional zone. The seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces is particularly evocative during the summer months, when the six foldable glass doors effortlessly merge the interior and exterior environments.
The seamless transition from the inviting and relaxed outdoor area to the more sophisticated and refined interior space mirrors the organic progression from enjoying a cup of coffee to indulging in a glass of wine.
The semi-open interior space maintains its distinctiveness primarily through the six-meter-high original building. Here, the vertical spatial tension harmoniously interacts with the horizontal boundary permeability, resulting in a concrete and intense presence that truly sets this place apart.
The space is flooded with an abundance of natural light during the day, thanks to the expansive continuous glass doors that span the entire arc facade. The light gracefully transforms into a soft gray hue as it reflects and diffuses throughout the space. In its static nature, the spatial block exudes a sense of tranquility and solidity, seamlessly spanning the internal boundaries of the space. This architectural element evokes a profound spiritual ambiance, harmoniously blending the disciplined essence and unadorned simplicity reminiscent of the pre-industrial era. Moreover, it establishes a genuine connection with both the human experience and the physical environment, fostering a profound sense of unity.
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Embedded within this profound expression is an inherent dedication to the pursuit of simplicity, borne out of a transformative artistic process. Upon traversing the threshold into the space, one is immediately struck by the palpable shift from relying solely on visual stimuli to a heightened emphasis on tactile sensations, thereby engendering a heightened perceptual potency. In “The Eyes of the Skin,” the author explores the interplay between sequence, layers, texture, and quality of space, elevating them to the status of significant architectural elements. This shift in perspective allows for a harmonious fusion of matter and consciousness, transcending their previous state of opposition and embracing a unified whole.
The scale relationship is heightened, drawing inspiration from the expansive space with lofty ceilings and a pronounced emphasis on sculptural elements. In order to enhance the grandiose and awe-inspiring nature of the overall experience, the design strategically incorporates the benefits of verticality. The visually open interior area is transformed into a stunning three-dimensional glass wine room, standing at an impressive height of six meters. This architectural masterpiece is meticulously designed with a matrix structure, creating a visually captivating display of wines. The displacement of the wines within this space further enhances the overall aesthetic appeal, resulting in a truly remarkable and immersive experience. The glass wine room exudes a palpable sense of spatial scale and alcohol intensity when occupied by individuals.
The impact of intentional amplification is often intertwined with the inadvertent manifestation of scale’s influence on the human experience within a given space, resulting in significant contraction or depression. The accurate transmission of tension and elasticity within a space is enhanced through a deliberate process of sensory depression, resulting in a transformative spatial perception. The alteration manifests as intricately arranged spatial folds, serving as a pivotal element in the overall functionality of the space.
The spatial experiences within the design are inherently limited, yet they offer a unique and captivating journey. For instance, the staircase positioned on the inner side of the space ascends along a crevice, leading to the mezzanine level. This ascent is further enhanced by the presence of a glass wine room, which must be crossed to reach the mezzanine. These carefully crafted elements contribute to the creation of diverse scenarios within the space, adding depth and complexity to its overall composition. Furthermore, they serve to emphasize the spatial scale, reinforcing its significance within the design.
Through a vertical exploration, the intricate spatial intricacies gradually reveal themselves, expanding outward through intimate physical encounters. The walls boast exquisitely textured concrete panels, while circular apertures consistently capture one’s attention. The curved concrete railing on the mezzanine’s exterior counterbalances the space’s ruggedness, adding a touch of elegance. The exposed concrete beam structure and metallic pipes on the ceiling hint at an underlying reality, while the grand circular skylight serves as a significant visual focal point, unveiling abstract imagery.
Consequently, the spatial composition seamlessly integrates the intricate elements of the roof, beams, facade, and staircase, resulting in a cohesive progression of visual experiences and perceptual arrangements. This meticulous arrangement achieves a multi-faceted stratification of space, imbuing it with a profound sense of depth and interplay between its various layers.
MEDISN has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to seamlessly blending the realms of alcoholic experience and visual art experience, resulting in a captivating and evocative emotional atmosphere. The directors have playfully alluded to a potential fusion of coffee, alcohol, and tattoo culture, humorously suggesting a shared “addiction” syndrome. The expansion of MEDISN’s boundaries has significantly enhanced the spatial independence and brand impact. The elevated area above the bar serves as a captivating space, where the art gallery and on-site area seamlessly merge, creating a truly remarkable and well-deserved presence.
Similar to the ground floor, the upper art space offers a generous vertical expanse, allowing for the display of high-quality niche exhibitions without any height restrictions. Simultaneously, in order to enhance the spatial stratification, a modest mezzanine has been ingeniously incorporated into the corner, serving as an exclusive and secluded studio space for FORESEER. Indeed, the interior of MEDISN showcases a remarkable integration of visual art, sourced primarily from the esteemed FORESEER studio. Renowned for their expertise in the art of tattooing, FORESEER studio has undeniably contributed to the essence and character of MEDISN.
From the vantage point of the second floor, one’s gaze is immediately drawn to the captivating circular skylight adorning the roof of the first floor. This architectural feature not only serves as a source of natural illumination but also provides a distinct and unparalleled experience for those fortunate enough to witness it. The expansive circular structure envelops the primary commercial area on the ground level, establishing a seamless connection between the dynamic visual elements on the first and second floors while serving as a captivating centerpiece. The strategic implementation of a dual-layer lighting system, delicately positioned between the beams and circular apertures, serves to accentuate the grandeur of the expansive circular openings while simultaneously concealing the raw essence of the exposed concrete cross beams.
The inherent allure of art resides in its ability to transcend personal identity and evoke profound emotional depths. The expansive glass aperture, skillfully integrated amidst the robust concrete beams and columns, serves a dual purpose. It not only facilitates an unobstructed visual connection between the upper and lower spaces, but also metaphorically embodies the profound interplay between alcohol and tattoo, evoking notions of vulnerability and catharsis.
Imbibing in the daytime amidst the company of radiant sunshine, the rhythmic ebb and flow of everyday life, the interplay of shadows, and the melodic strains of lighthearted music evokes a sense of serenely carefree tranquility. The space exudes a luminous and pristine ambiance, evoking a sense of resolute clarity. It seems to cater to a solitary and introspective disposition, even amidst a bustling crowd, while maintaining an inviting and amiable atmosphere.
As the sun sets, the austere and structured aesthetic of the daytime is dramatically disrupted by the interplay of vibrant illumination and melodic compositions, ushering in a realm of evocative sentiments and an urban landscape reminiscent of an industrial utopia, captivating those immersed in addiction.
The serene ambiance of daylight fades away, giving way to the understated elegance of the gray cement walls that serve as a versatile backdrop for visual art in the area. These walls not only provide structural stability and flexibility, but also serve as a medium for artistic expression, acting as both a canvas and a container.
As a result, the entire space is afforded the opportunity to become more accommodating and flexible in comparison to its daytime configuration. The entirety of the internal space is seamlessly transferred, with the physical boundaries inevitably giving way to a captivating darkness that assumes the role of a visual boundary. The play of light diffuses gracefully, traversing the contours of the material space before gracefully dissipating into the depths of darkness.
The seamless integration of concrete elements and the deliberate use of minimalist openings create an ethereal quality within the space, evoking a sense of weightlessness and the potential for transcending into the realms of the future or the boundless universe.
Through the deliberate division of time periods, the spatial composition emulates the behavior of living organisms with their inherent circadian rhythms. This intentional design approach results in a harmonious interplay between static and dynamic elements, wherein the space experiences growth and transformation during the nocturnal hours, while maintaining a serene and unchanging state throughout the daytime. The interplay between matter and consciousness manifests itself in divergent trajectories, each moving in contrasting directions. These trajectories unfold and expand freely, ultimately dissipating into a realm of spiritual interconnectedness. This ethereal domain is brought to life through the catalyst of human engagement, as it is perceived and embraced by individuals.
As twilight descends and the dormant Dionysian essence stirs within the spatial continuum, the very notion of space undergoes a profound transformation. It transcends its physical boundaries, morphing into an expansive realm that engulfs and captivates the senses, akin to a mesmerizing abyss of perception. In the realm of spatial design, one cannot overlook the profound impact of order consolidation brought forth by the concept of space.
In the primary commercial zone on the ground level, an interplay of fluctuating illumination evokes a range of emotions, emanating at its peak luminosity. The ambiance is further enhanced by the permeation of alcohol and music, creating undulating waves that traverse the entirety of the space, captivating both solitary individuals and those with intriguing dispositions. This space embraces a rejection of all external forms of coquetry, prioritizing a refined and understated aesthetic. In the realm of architectural design, one can discern a distinct absence of flat vision, inexpensive textures, and a hasty pursuit of immediate triumph and fleeting gains. Instead, what prevails is a profound emphasis on expertise and the ensuing exhilaration it brings.
Embracing a departure from mere aesthetic speculation and prioritizing the restoration of true nature lies at the core of the construction process.
Project information
Project Name: MEDISN·RESET
Project Location: Chengdu, Sichuan
Project Area: 400?
Completion Date: 2022.06
Design Company: GE Space Design
Design Coordinator: Li Jia
Main Project Designer: Fu Youxi
Cooperation Mode: Design & Construction
Copy Editor: Cheng Jing
Photography Team: HereSpace – He Chuan
Cooperating Brands: FORESEER, MDL, Glimmer lighting, Kuange
