Epicurean Ecstasy | Gastronomy Meets Art and Culture at Joye & Sam Lifestyle Market by Tales Creative

TEXT MONISHA SIVANESAN
IMAGES COURTESY OF STUDIO SZ & JUSTIN SZEREMETA

BEHOLD THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF SHANGHAI’S ENLIGHTENING EPICENTRE, THE JOYE & SAM LIFESTYLE MARKET, WHERE GASTRONOMY ASCENDS TO GREAT HEIGHTS ALONGSIDE THE ARTS AND CULTURE FOR A NEW KIND OF MULTISENSORIAL IMMERSION.

Situated in Shanghai’s famous French Concession district also known as the ‘Champs-Elysées of the East’, surrounded by a century’s worth of cultural heritage, is the Joye & Sam Lifestyle Market. Taking an Everything Everywhere All at Once approach, if you will, it houses a myriad of tangible opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in all things related to food, wine, art, entertainment and lifestyle. This comprehensive venue dedicated to urban gastronomy is the latest work of Tales Creative, an interior design firm based in the restless city.

The first floor focuses on retail, connecting people and the arts through the glorious medium of food — think of it as the world’s first “Food Renaissance” integrated commercial experience. It’s a place of soothing joy that draws back to the cultures of a marketplace community. The farmhouse-esque display shelves and garden carriages in the central hub present an international selection of trendy goods. The snack bar’s modern elegant design acts as the visual anchor of the space, adding a layer of chic fun to the overall “food carnival” experience. The furniture here, and all throughout the project, retains the aesthetic of natural wood and tiles, bringing forth a space that feels organic, pleasant and tasteful. In fact, eco-friendly materials are used for the flooring, walls and bar cladding.

The fresh food supermarket features flexible booths, pop-up displays, movable retail shelves and a mix of seating arrangements. Enhancing this relaxed but appealing atmosphere are perforated wood panels and warm grey tiling, aligning with the overall urban market theme. As for the noodle bar counter, its grid structure showcases the different stages of making traditional Chinese noodles from scratch, offering inquisitive guests a clear view of the entire process.

Much like a cosy living room, the Life Experience Museum congregates a range of specialised health and lifestyle brands into one casual and engaging retail environment. Once again, eco-friendly materials – particle boards, ceramic tiles and micro cement – enter the fold for warmth and tranquillity. Everything is designed to be as convenient and practical as possible, without sacrificing aesthetic effectiveness. The signage here utilises a simple metal shelf system for support, allowing for easy adjustments in the future, while fully adjustable shelves display edibles and clothes.

On the other hand, the basement floor is predominantly concentrated on wine and fine dining. Combining an expressive lighting scheme with a contemporary aesthetic, the resulting atmosphere is reminiscent of an upscale wine cellar. Different areas connect and intersect, forming a striking spatial collage which interweaves various tastes and themes together.

An elegant swimming pool theme has been integrated into the space, recalling the romanticism of the historical French Concession era and elevating it for the Market’s experience. Inspired by ‘International Hotel’, the avant-garde artwork by photographer Yang Fudong, the designers have boldly placed a swimming pool in the centre of the basement atrium. By doing so, they have created an eye-catching feature which can also be converted into a stage, equipped with professional lighting suited for hosting live music and events.