Saturnbird

Saturnbird's new store on Yuyuan Road, as always, breathes new life into the old building through a unique creative concept, complementing the vitality of the surrounding neighborhood. Whether you arrive intentionally or pass by in haste, you can't help but be drawn to the exquisite brick facade.

However, the stairs you step on, the railing you hold, and the tension rod you pass by are all the result of meticulous design and structural consideration. Here, the structure is no longer hidden quietly beneath the walls, but boldly showcased, contributing to the unique charm of the space.

In fact, you’ve already noticed their presence, perhaps even been drawn to their strength and beauty. So, let’s take a moment to pause and join us in stepping into this new store to uncover the secrets of its structure.

1 ⁄ 携手裸筑更新探求真实的结构美学
Collaborating with RoarcRenew:Exploring the Beauty of Structure

In this project, bespoke. collaborated with RoarcRenew to successfully implement the "Naked Architecture" concept. The core of this concept lies in exposing structural elements and empowering them as aesthetic features, rather than concealing them. As structural consultants, our task was to realize this concept through precise structural design and ingenious technical solutions.

"Naked Structure," as the name suggests, is not about hiding structural elements as in traditional design, but presenting them in the most direct and authentic way. One of the core features of this project is the liberation of architectural structural elements from their "concealed" state, allowing them to be naturally exposed within space, becoming an integral part of it.

The collaboration between bespoke. and RoarcRenew in this project was both challenging and enjoyable. We share a common design philosophy with the architects at RoarcRenew, and our professional collaboration and complementing expertise allowed us to overcome challenge after challenge. In the end, we succeeded in creating a space that is both secure and stable, while also delivering a visually striking experience.

2 ⁄ 创新结构，独一无二的空间体验
Creative Structural Highlights

The entire second floor is a newly added Suspended platform, which is also the most challenging part of this building renovation. Unlike traditional support, it features a hanging structure achieved through the tension of tie rods, giving the space a fascinating sense of floating. This design element resonates with the recycled materials from old ships, adding a unique, dynamic quality to the space.

Evolution of Models

Q1: How is the "floating" effect achieved?

The floating effect is achieved by suspending the whole newly added 2nd floor platform to the existing old building frame. A traditional structure will have beams resting on columns connected to the ground. In SATURNBIRD new store there are no structural columns in the middle of the space, the whole timber platform is suspended by a series of tension rods that have been designed and customized for this project specifically. Visually, this design imparts a unique sense of layering and dynamism to the space, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the design.

Q2: How is this refined and smooth structure design realized through details?

The structure of this new store uses several different materials that are combined to achieve the final effect and atmosphere of the space. Combination between “old and new”, colors, materiality, structural properties, were carefully considered and discussed with designers during the design process.

The new added structure is mainly made of Glued Laminated Timber (GLULAM) using Douglas Fire species which enables achieving a TCT32 grade. The timber connections that link the different elements together are using Steel Q355B and the Tension Rods are made of Stainless Steel SU304.

Each timber connection details have been carefully designed and considered both from structure perspective and user experience. All the timber beams section sizes, the connection steel plate thickness, the appearance of the bolted connections, were considered together to achieve a holistic effect that flow seamlessly from your eyes to your brain, and leave some traces that you will remember, maybe “unconsciously”.

Process model

Q3：How was the new design integrated with the existing building style during the renovation?

During the renovation, we paid close attention to the integration with the existing building. The old building features brick masonry and a steel frame. The internal steel frame from previous tenant has been assessed for structure safety to ensure it can bear the loads of the new suspended 2^nd floor. The existing façade of the old building was in very bad shape, and the old brick wall could not accommodate the new façade design.

Therefore, we choose to build new steel frames outside the old brick walls. Those steel frames, that you can see if you pay attention to the façade details, are supporting the whole new brick and glass façade.  This results in a series of layers that create a seamless blend of old and new. This not only preserves the historical charm of the old building but also infuses the space with modernity and vitality.

Q6: How does structural design utilize natural elements to express the aesthetic of an exterior courtyard gallery?

The design of the courtyard masterfully merges structure aesthetics with natural elements. The Architects followed the design philosophy of using old timber vertical elements, which are tightly integrated with steel elements and very finely crafted stainless steel connection details. This approach not only preserves the historical feel of the materials but also breathes new life into them through the refined structural build.

3 ⁄ 结构设计的思考与展望：结构不仅支撑建筑本身，更是空间情感和品牌理念的载体
Structural Design Philosophy: Beyond Function, Conveying Emotion

As the structural consultant for the new Saturnbird Yuyuan Road store, we worked closely with the architects to implement the ' Naked Architecture ' design concept, removing unnecessary decorative and structural elements to showcase the essence of the space in its purest form.

We hope to transform this place into a space full of creativity and inspiration through creative projects, attracting more people to this coffee shop full of stories and warmth—it’s not just a place to drink coffee, but a multifunctional space that evokes emotional resonance.

bespoke. look forward to collaborating with more outstanding architects to explore more creative structural designs, bringing warmth and vitality to urban spaces. Every space is a refinement of our understanding of design and emotion, and in the future, we will continue to create limitless possibilities.