Morning Flower Store | Modum M

Realizing the Dream of Opening a Flower Shop Bathed in Light

Morning Flower Shop is located in the ground floor of an office building in the new district of Nanjing. The owner hopes that running this flower shop will mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life. The name "Morning" is derived from the English word "morning," and we have taken the morning light as the starting point for our design. The atmosphere created by the morning light serves as the core concept of the space.

Entrance to a Flower Room Woven with Light and Shadow

The entrance area of the shop has a deep facade, with a wide corridor occupying a significant amount of space. To allow more light to penetrate and illuminate the interior, we freed up part of the entrance area. The facade features large glass displays, enhancing the transparency of the space and allowing passersby to catch a glimpse of the floral beauty inside. On the right side of the facade, we designed a slanted, floating display window as a pop-up exhibition space, which can showcase different seasonal floral arrangements to attract attention.

The main visual element of the facade is a large wooden structure. We employed spectral and linear extraction design techniques, using grilles and acrylic materials to adapt to the changing light. The combination of grilles and acrylic creates a mysterious light and shadow magic box, revealing a rich variety of light and shadow relationships as time passes and the angle of light changes. Additionally, linear pendant lights are installed between the grilles. When night falls, the grilles diffuse the light from the pendants into countless beams, creating a soft and dreamy atmosphere.

A Serene Secret Garden

For the interior of the flower shop, we chose a large number of natural and handcrafted materials to create a tranquil and warm atmosphere. To continue the theme of morning light, we installed layers of translucent washi paper in the ceiling space, following the depth of the room. The washi paper acts like a soft mist, filtering the light into dappled shadows, making visitors feel as if they are in a morning forest, surrounded by delicate, grainy light, and fully immersed in this poetic space.

In terms of functional layout, we designed two counters. The inner counter is primarily for the florist's daily work, with a stainless steel surface that combines aesthetics and convenience. The front of the counter features travertine elements, with natural textures and a sense of returning to nature. The oval island in the center of the space is the visual focal point of the flower shop. The island is supported by several stones and bricks, with the display surface set at two different levels to better showcase a variety of floral arrangements and meet retail needs. The base of the display is treated with gravel, as if a corner of an outdoor garden has been brought indoors, allowing customers to feel the essence of nature while selecting flowers.

The flow of the space revolves around the central oval display. The floor is made of two types of handmade lime bricks. The gray stone naturally connects with the outdoor environment, while the beige stone, with its smaller size and woven arrangement, showcases a unique handcrafted natural texture and guides the movement of customers.

Mirrors are placed on both sides of the space. The mirrors enhance the visual extension of the space while providing different perspectives for displaying floral arrangements. The shelving area on the left uses old wood for the shelves, with the cabinet doors at the bottom continuing the travertine material, echoing the floor and creating a harmonious visual effect throughout the space.

Near the entrance to the counter, a protruding niche is set up as a weekly display area for the florist's featured products, like a small surprise box that offers new discoveries to customers each time.

Brand: The Dream of a Small Flower Shop "In Harmony with Light and Dust"

In today's society, flower shops have become synonymous with female-led businesses. We understand the cultural connotations and temperament behind the brand, and through interpreting the brand elements, we embarked on a warm design journey. Morning Flower Shop originates from the morning light, drawing inspiration from every detail of the design, and ultimately blossoming the owner's dream in the interplay of light. Morning Flower Shop is not just a place to sell flowers; it is also a space where people can briefly escape from their busy lives. It offers a unique floral experience to relax the mind and body, immersing visitors in an atmosphere of nature and art.

Project Name: Morning Flower Shop
Location: Nanjing
Design Firm: Modum Atelier
Design Team: Zhang Siyi, Zhou Nan, Yang Junbo, Zhou Ruizhe
Floor Area: 70㎡
Design Period: May 2024 - July 2024
Construction Period: September 2024
Materials: Lime stone, handmade bricks, washi paper, travertine
Photography: Howie