RED ROUGE

Red Rouge

The proposal for Bar Rouge aims to reimagine Shanghai’s iconic skyline by capitalizing on the club’s most distinguishing feature—the breathtaking views of Pudong, Shanghai’s renowned skyline. Situated on the privileged balcony, Bar Rouge’s terrace offers patrons the opportunity to savor well-crafted cocktails while relishing the mesmerizing vistas of the new Pudong area, making it an exceptional attraction in itself.

With a clear focus on maximizing the visual impact of the outdoor area while minimizing disruption to the bar’s regular operations, the key concepts guiding the design process are “skyline,” “terrace,” “visual impact,” and “business activity.” This project is presented to VOL Group, a prominent player in the Shanghai food and beverage industry.

At 100architects, we firmly believe that social dynamics and public interactions extend beyond conventional public spaces to what we refer to as “semi-public spaces.” These spaces, though privately owned, possess a strong public character, facilitating gatherings and interactions similar to those found in true public areas. Bar Rouge, located atop the Bund 18—a landmark building in Shanghai housing art galleries, upscale brands, and fine restaurants—serves as a prime example of such a semi-public space, attracting a diverse array of social interactions.

To align with the keywords and concepts, we introduce the concept of “RED ROUGE,” a new VIP Lounge area strategically positioned on the terrace’s edge. Replacing the existing lounge sofas, RED ROUGE competes visually with the iconic skyline, creating a new architectural object in the shape of the skyline itself. This innovative addition attracts clients, infuses fresh dynamics, and serves as a signature backdrop for the most photographed view at Bar Rouge.

The objective of RED ROUGE is to entirely transform the space without disrupting regular business operations, while elevating revenue through a contemporary and metropolitan VIP experience. This multi-functional object features five distinct shapes, each catering to a unique way of inhabiting the VIP area:

1_Table-seating area: Hosting groups for table-drinks activities, accommodating up to 6 to 8 people, with an embedded drink showcase on the wall.
2_Lounge cubes: Informal seating for 6 to 7 people, with ample standing space around them.
3_The grandstand: A curved space introducing an interesting area and encouraging curiosity, with benches capable of hosting 3 people on one side and a three-level grandstand accommodating 9 people on the other side.
4_The bench: Simple seating for up to 6 people.
5_Projection wall: Serving as a platform for images and movies, also providing seating for 3 people.

The uniqueness of these shapes not only captivates the eye but also invites different forms of interaction, enhancing the VIP experience at Bar Rouge. To augment the visual aesthetic impact, we have chosen to construct the object entirely using Corian Solid Surface—a high-performance and aesthetically pleasing material, popular among architects and designers.

Staying true to Bar Rouge’s corporate color, red, our installation, Red Rouge, naturally adopts this vibrant hue. The decision to maintain a consistent red color throughout the entire VIP area reinforces its image and visual impact on the terrace, creating a striking and unforgettable ambiance.

Credits

PROJECT NAME: Red Rouge
DESIGN: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
DESIGN TEAM: Marcial Jesús, Javier González.
STATUS: Unuilt
LOCATION: Shanghai (China)
Renders: 100architects

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