alberto caiola magnifies the beauty of flowers in shanghai shop
designboom_part of an emerging new wave of contemporary florists, july’s flowers in shanghai, china, reflects a fresh and edgy counterculture closer to fashion and design than traditional flower arrangements. smashing straight-laced stereotypes, july’s challenges expectations at all levels and alberto caiola designed a shop to match.
caiola incorporated a spectrum of materials, balancing brushed metal finishes with the natural textures of terrazzo flooring. expansive elements comprising of horizontal and angled mirrors positioned on the store’s celling create the illusion of a much larger space. the effect appears to defy the laws of gravity, amplifying the volume’s height.
in stark contrast, exposed concrete beams reveal the building’s original structure adorned by the flowers that become the store’s natural centerpiece. displayed in clustered pots adjacent to large mirrored dishes, the result is a cornucopia of images, the blossoms reflected ad infinitum producing an intriguing effect.
. the store stands out from its traditional residential context, since its polished metallic finish draws attention by shifting according to the angle at which it’s viewed. at the same time, indoor mirrors seemingly extend out of the building, bouncing both natural and artificial light, which creates an enticing and inviting storefront. breaking barriers of tradition, expectations, and perception, caiola’s interpretation of july’s flowers defines shanghai in full bloom.
