History and modernity are intertwined, tradition and innovation collide in Shanghai, and the aroma of coffee wafts in the air. Blending into every corner and scene, in Shanghai, we taste cups of coffee with the characteristics of living alone, and feel the richness and diversity of the city.
One Foot Garden: Through the millennium of Huiyun coffee time
In Songjiang, Shanghai, there is a simple and elegant secret place - Guangfulin Cultural Site. It is not only the "root of Shanghai, the source of Shanghai style", but also carries 4,000 years of cultural accumulation. And on this thick soil of history, an old Hui school mansion stands quietly, hiding a special café - one-foot garden Guangfulin store.
When I first saw the garden, the reporter of "International Financial News" was attracted by its unique Hui architectural style. The white walls and tiles, the horse head wall are undulating, and the simple and elegant powder wall is more integrated with the surrounding environment.
Walking into the store, it is like traveling back to the ancient Huizhou. The wooden floors creak underfoot, and the interior of the store is simple and elegant, and every part of the store reveals the designer's ingenuity.
In the past few days, the store is exhibiting Chen Qi's artist "Spring Blossom and Autumn Fruit" series, ink sketches and calligraphy works. Among them, the "Spring Blossom and Autumn Fruit" series is the main picture of the Hangzhou Asian Games, showing the new style of the new Shanghai style of flower and bird painting, which complements the atmosphere of the old house.
Walking inside, the most eye-catching thing is the transparent glass room in the front and back courtyards. Sunlight pours down through the exquisitely carved patio and spills into the courtyard, and the cascading eaves seem to tell the story of ancient Huizhou.
The courtyard, a unique design element of Hui architecture, not only reflects a strong sense of space and hierarchy, but also plays an important role in lighting and ventilation. Sunlight shines through the cracks in the patio and reflects off the stone slabs on the floor, softly illuminating the entire hall. The combination of corridors and halls forms a complete ventilation system, like a natural air conditioner, making people feel a little cool.
Huizhou people have valued commerce since ancient times, and the design of the patio also contains profound cultural connotations. Rainwater flows into the patio through the ridge of the roof and does not flow outside the house, symbolizing the gathering of wealth. And the sunlight pours into the front hall, which is vividly called "sprinkling gold", implying prosperity and wealth.
Today, the patio has become an ornamental area for psammophytes in a one-foot garden. The lush greenery of the sand plants has breathed new life into the old house. They grow and reproduce here, as if they have implanted new lungs and rejuvenated the old house.
It is worth mentioning that the design of the plant cleverly adopts the shape of a dragon. A winding dragon-shaped green belt, shuttling between the psammophytes, implies a soaring sky, a dragon soaring and a tiger leaping. This design not only echoes the culture of the old house, but also adds a bit of mystery and charm.
The reporter saw that there were all kinds of coffee and refreshments in the store, and the guests walked to the second floor and could also look at the distant scenery through the "point window".
According to the manager of the one-foot garden Guangfulin store, these windows the size of the hole are classic elements in the architecture of the Hui school. In ancient times, most of the people of Huizhou were doing business abroad all the year round, and for safety reasons, the windows were designed to be small.
Today, these "windows" are the perfect place for guests to enjoy the view. Sitting by the window on the second floor, looking through the "point window", the distant scenery is in full view, which is very pleasant.
Here, every cup of coffee feels like it has been brought to life. The aroma of the coffee beans blends with the quaint atmosphere of the restaurant, and you can feel a sense of history while tasting it. The reporter ordered a cup of signature coffee and savored the bitterness, coolness and sweetness.
In addition to the cultural atmosphere, the service of One Foot Garden is also highly praised. According to the store manager, the waiters in the store are professionally trained, not only warm and thoughtful, patient and meticulous, but also can provide customers with professional coffee knowledge and cultural introduction.
In the process of visiting the one-foot garden, the reporter met Mr. Lu, a tourist from other places, who told the reporter that he came to Shanghai in order to feel the charm of Hui architecture.
"The setting is so beautiful! Drinking coffee here is not only a pleasure, but also a cultural experience. It made me feel like I was in a paradise. Mr. Lu told reporters that he planned to stay here for a few more days to feel the unique charm of the city.
Mapoly: Shanghai coffee blends with history
On the first floor of the West Building of the Shanghai History Museum, there is a Shanghai-style café - Mapoly Reserve Store, which has attracted the attention of many citizens and tourists with its unique space design and profound historical heritage.
When you come to Mapoly Collection, the interior design is rich in detail. From the old floor tiles on the porch to the coffee fruit glass overhead, a wonderful space where history and coffee collide opens.
When you enter the store, you will be greeted by a "pocket showroom" with a dark green space. This one-of-a-kind exhibit is like a miniature museum, showcasing a collection of coffee commercials, cartoons, photographs and Street View images of old Shanghai. Here, every picture and exhibit tells the century-old story of coffee coming to Shanghai and integrating into the lives of citizens.
Walking through the dark corridors, the white hall simulates a complete leisure square, with colonnades, steps, stages, boxes, monuments and trevi fountains. It is a multi-functional area that integrates dining, socializing, and viewing.
In the center of the café, a monument with a trevi fountain stands out. The central pillar is no longer a monotonous support, but is transformed into a wishing fountain with flowing water waves. In the pool, coins shimmer and glitter, entrusting the wishes of every visitor.
Behind the monument, fragments of the novel carefully engraved by the architect leap onto the stone, revealing infinite nostalgia for the past and beautiful visions for the future.
Surrounding the Trevi Fountain is a circle of delicate steps, each paved with vintage stone, as if telling the passage of time. At the top of the staircase is an elegant colonnade with delicate carvings on the pillars that complement the atmosphere of the café.
Under the colonnade, comfortable seats and coffee tables are placed for guests to rest and talk. The small stage of fireworks, the small reception box and the viewing position of Libo are cleverly integrated to create a social square full of Shanghainese style.
Visitors can sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee while enjoying the view of the side façade of the Jockey Club Building through the windowpane. The mode of day coffee and night wine allows people to find a suitable place for people who are resting and relaxing, business and casual.
Mapoly is not only a place to enjoy coffee, but also a social space full of culture. It is understood that the "City Living Room" will hold small art performances, salons and other activities from time to time, inviting artists, writers, historians and other people from all walks of life to discuss topics such as urban culture and historical inheritance. These events will provide guests with a rich and diverse experience in a stylish and sophisticated way.
The relevant person in charge of the Mapoly selection store revealed that the "Shanghai Cafe" Mapoly Reserve Store, as a café opened in a museum, is aimed at the younger generation of coffee lovers and hardcore coffee fans, and is also keen to promote and popularize the Shanghai coffee culture. Previously, several new flavors of products were specially developed and launched, including Libo (homonym "Libo") latte, Libo Mocha, Libo Aobai, customized bell tower latte art, etc., showing the "sense of history" of museum + café.
A visit to the Mapoly store is like a trip back in time. Here, the aroma of coffee is intertwined with the smell of history, so that people can feel the deep heritage and infinite charm of the city while tasting coffee.
Glass Forest: The Poetic Space of the "Urban Study".
In the midst of busy city life, we always want to find a place where we can escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a moment of tranquility. In Hongqiao Fund Town, there is a hidden "glass forest" coffee shop, which attracts the attention of tourists with its unique charm and has become another Internet celebrity check-in place in Shanghai.
When you come to Hongqiao Fund Town, you will find trees and a quiet environment along the way. In a dense forest, the reporter saw the fairy transparent box - "glass forest".
This charming coffee shop, formerly known as Flowerplus Glass Forest, has been carefully renovated and upgraded, and now it is known as VENTURE TOWN.
Stepping into the "Glass Forest" coffee shop, you will be greeted by the 360-degree glass flower room design without dead ends. Sunlight shines through the glass, illuminating the entire space. Surrounded by greenery and flowers, it feels like you are in a forest.
Looking around, the building is dominated by glass and mirrored stainless steel, with clean and sleek lines, and a Bauhaus-style minimalist design that is refreshing.
On the first floor of the "Glass Forest" is a functional area such as a coffee bar, a flower bar and bookshelves.
In the spacious lounge area on the first floor, comfortable sofas, soft cushions, exquisite coffee tables, and the small and fresh decoration style of the store complement the bright color interior, with fragrance and music, as if you are in a dreamlike space.
The bookshelf area is lined with a variety of books and magazines for guests to read.
Outside the window, there is a green Japanese garden with large meadows and trees.
Get out of the house and take a stroll on the grass. Beneath your feet is soft grass, and the air is filled with the scent of flowers and earth.
Climb up the white spiral staircase to a more open view. The design of the second floor is more simple and bright, with several abstract paintings hanging on the white-toned walls, adding a bit of artistic touch to the whole space. It's not only a great place to think alone, but also a great place to hang out with friends.
In a conversation with the clerk, the reporter learned that the "Glass Forest" is not only a coffee shop, but also one of the "urban study rooms" added in Minhang District in 2022. Not only does it serve coffee and good food, but it is also a place where people relax and nourish their spirits. The store hopes that through the environment and atmosphere here, everyone can find a peaceful world in their busy lives.
"Everyone is very welcome to buy and experience the flower bar in the store. In addition, we will have a resident florist to share stories and maintenance knowledge about flowers, so that everyone can better understand flowers. According to the clerk, there are some interactive experience courses here on weekdays, such as flower art classes, coffee classes, etc., and many brands have held sharing meetings and appreciation meetings here, integrating flowers, coffee, social, art, handicrafts and other life elements.
(The photos in this article were taken by reporter Pan Jie)