In a repurposed 580m2 factory in Shanghai, this WOSA retail space surpasses conventional sintered stone showrooms by seamlessly blending art, architecture, and commerce to create an immersive experience.
Visitors are greeted by distinct small buildings that showcase diverse stone materials and construction techniques. The entrance features a suspended translucent curtain crafted from white thin sintered stone slate. Inside, a black stone-clad sanctuary leads to a curved staircase enveloped in golden stone slates. A metallic VIP chamber with an intricately tiled wooden interior awaits, evoking the sensation of navigating through a diverse metropolis.
Further exploration reveals a showroom without boundaries, where stone volumes seemingly float, mirrored ceilings reflect, and LED screens depict the story behind each material. Towards the end of the journey, visitors encounter stone sculpture serves as a bar counter, allowing visitors to convene and discuss incorporating these materials into their own spaces.
This WOSA showroom elevates stone tiles to the realm of art by showcasing array of materials and seamlessly merging aesthetics, craftsmanship, and spatial exploration.
Bio Manuel Lam, is the founder, the chief architect and creative director of [ the Volks Design ]. He holds a master degree from Harvard University with experiences among top leading architecture and design firms such as Foster & Partners in London and Sasaki in Boston. He also serves as a lecturer at the University of Saint Joseph Macau architecture department. He has been exhibition curator for Macau in the "16th Venice International Architecture Biennale". He has been awarded as M+ China Top 100 Luxury Interior Designer Award, 40 Over 40 Outstanding Design Elite Award Macau.
Other prizes Architect Manuel Lam has won the Red Dot Award in Germany, the K-Design Award in South Korea, the IAF Pioneer Architect Honor, the Muse Design Award in the United States, and the A' Design Award in Italy. He was also awarded the Honor of the Light of Asian Youth Design in Macau, Outstanding Young Designer in Macau under 40 years old, M+ China Luxury Interior Design Top 100 Most Influential Designers, China International Architectural Decoration Association Design Award, Kapok The Most Beautiful Art Space Award, Himalaya Design Top Commercial Space Award, IWDA Office Space Innovation Design Award, China International Architectural Decoration Association Huateng Gold Award, Macau Design Award Nomination and Taiwan Macau Interior Design New Power List.
