Collaboration and Transformation
Linehouse, in collaboration with Louis Li of Black Star Pastry, embarked on a transformative journey to convert an old red-brick villa on Yuyuan Road, Shanghai, into Black Star Pastry’s inaugural flagship store in China. The result is a dynamic retail complex that seamlessly integrates dining, design, art, and lifestyle.
Ground Floor: Interstellar Adventure
The ground floor of the flagship store immerses visitors in the narrative of Interstellar Travel, featuring the iconic maglev display showcasing nine revolving and levitating space capsules, each presenting cakes exclusive to Shanghai. Stainless-steel shelves adorned with meteorites ascend towards the ceiling, creating an illusion of rocks suspended in space. The space is adorned with Noritake’s illustrations, complementing Black Star Pastry’s new branding.
Second Floor: Black Star Gallery
Ascending a new staircase clad in roughcast concrete terrazzo, guests are transported to the Black Star Gallery—a dining space reminiscent of a meta habitat. Curated artworks by emerging international artists, including Rowan Corkill, Olivia Steele, Debbie Lawson, and Naoko Ito, transform ordinary objects into metamorphic states, evoking a sense of the surreal and the fantastical.
Atmosphere and Ambiance
The gallery transitions from a tearoom in the afternoon to a cocktail lounge at night, with a metal grid ceiling and rough concrete cast terrazzo tiles lending a museum-like ambiance. The private room, “There There,” features an intimate bar wrapped in acid-etched blue metal, contrasting against the exposed concrete walls. A stainless-steel curved backdrop showcases the displayed wines, adding a touch of elegance to the space.
Conclusion: Fusion of Elements
The Black Star Pastry Shanghai Flagship Store epitomizes the fusion of design, art, and culinary innovation. Linehouse’s architectural vision, coupled with Louis Li’s creative direction, has resulted in a retail destination that transcends traditional boundaries, offering visitors an immersive experience that stimulates the senses and sparks the imagination.
