Botanist by Alberto Caiola draws on the menu of innovative plant-based cocktails for interiors to engage the senses. Located at the leafy heart of Asia’s most sci-fi city - Shanghai’s former French concession - a combination of natural and synthetic elements evoke a futuristic realm where technology meets sustainability to harness the power of plants.

　　鸡尾酒吧Botanist坐落与亚洲最前沿的都市之一——上海。设计师Alberto Caiola将Botanist酒单上的草本创意同样延伸至酒吧的空间里。结合了自然与工业化元素，在绿意盎然的法租界，绿植所代表的生态持续性交汇着科技感，传递着植物生命力的同时，也营造出未来主义的情境。

Seasonal herbs, spices, flowers, fruits and vegetables are being given centre stage in the cocktail preparation as the base for healthful and colourful drinks, giving a tasty response to growing interest in healthy and natural lifestyles. 

　　Botanist以当季的草本植物，香料，鲜花以及瓜果蔬菜所作为鸡尾酒调制的基本原料，搭配绝妙的口感，是对人群逐渐壮大的的健康自然生活方式最好的答复。

Stepping into the space the patron is presented with a floor-to-ceiling living wall of aromatic plants that at once plays to the guests’ sense of smell, as well as evoking memory and emotion.

　　当顾客进入Botanist内部，一面香气四溢的植物墙由地面延伸至天花板，不仅挑逗着到访者的嗅觉，同时调取着每个人美好的心情与回忆。

At the heart of Botanist’s craft is infusion all of which happens on-site and in full view thanks to Jars positioned behind the bar. Beautifully backlit to capture the natural beauty of herbs and spices suspended in liquid, they make for a captivating focal point. 

　　吧台后所摆放的透明罐子将Botanist的调制过程与态度完美结合。不同位置的射灯让罐内的植物与香料在水中恣意舒展，以美丽的形态汇聚全场的焦点。

Starting to explore this tension between contrasting elements, a wall installation features plants and polycarbonate sheets. Depending on viewers’ angle, the vegetation appears either abstract and blurred, or focused and sharp.

　　在延伸视觉效果上，不同元素之间的对比也起到了关键的作用。墙面上植物与聚酯板让观赏更具趣味性。顾客眼中所见，取决于观赏的角度，聚酯板后的植被时而抽象且模糊，时而清晰且锐利。

To maximise the contrast, angular and synthetic components feature throughout the space. Most dramatic of all is an immersive drop ceiling, a complex floating maze inspired by chemical structures. The irregular yet geometric frames evoke a synthetic forest of hi-tech connotations where dark metal structures, strip lights, reflective panels and meshes come together to create semi futuristic aesthetics. 

　　为了更加强烈的对比效果，充满角度与合成的元素贯穿了空间的主体。最为戏剧化的部分便是由化学元素结构提供灵感的天花板迷宫装置。不同寻常且充满几何形状的框架，通过暗色金属材质，形成了现代化的高科技森林。管状灯光，反光板以及金属网的加入，令空间呈现出未来的美感。

The sculptural installation wraps around the entirety of the space, morphing into tables along one side of the bar, and shelving on the other housing infusion jars and bottles. Dark mirrors create an illusion of depth into which walls ‘disappear.’

　　充满雕塑感的装置在整个空间随处可见，从独立的桌椅延伸至吧台的一侧，或是隐藏在存放店酒的玻璃罐周围。黑暗的镜面不仅迷惑了访者的视觉，也迷惑了空间，使得墙面看上去仿佛不复存在。

Sofas and poufs feature a deep blue colour to add vibrancy while assorted lighting spanning varied sources and tones lend a dramatic glow to specific areas. The most prominent of these is a cluster of strip lights along the ceiling maze diffusing light subtly from above. Another dominant source is concealed behind the polycarbonate wall installation.

　　沙发座与装饰均采用深邃的蓝色，在不同灯光下折射在不同的表层，跃动的色彩让整个空间更具活力。另外一些充满装置色彩的细节也深化了空间的层次，最为突出的便是天花板迷宫装置上不规则出现的细长灯管，其次还有镶嵌在墙壁聚酯板后灯光。

A polished metal counter and tabletops reflect light throughout the space to create a sense of speed and dynamism.To create intimacy, distinct seating areas were created through the addition of permeable metal meshes and light strips. The partitions lend a degree of privacy, without compromising openness.

　　光滑的吧台与桌子表面将灯光反射至空间的各个角落，传递了都市生活的快捷与多元性。在私密性上，金属网与细长的灯管将坐席划分出了不同的区域。之间的隔断既确保了一定隐私，也不会牺牲空间感。

In keeping with Botanist’s design goal of drawing patrons into both concept and space, its key themes are made visible from the street outside. Screens of meshed metal spanning the venue’s façade partially reveal its interior to create a sense of intrigue and prompt curiosity. Meanwhile, an entrance flanked by neon strips guide guests inside the space. 

　　为了与Botanist的设计目的保持一致，让访者不仅能够体会概念也能享受空间，最重要的设计环节之一便是来自室外的观赏性。由金属网材质的屏风组成了空间的外墙，部分的裸露能够展现室内设计的精髓，从而制造出吸引力并激发过往行人的好奇心。同时入口的霓虹灯管也充满了指引性。

Finally, a black wooden deck transforms an outdoor patio into a dynamic landscape, with inviting yet futuristic reflective sofas and poufs for guests to take full advantage of Shanghai’s warmer evenings.

　　空间的最后一步，便是用黑色的底板，将原本的露台转变成一个更为多元化的园景，简洁且未来感十足的的沙发与坐垫为温暖的上海夜晚又增加了一个好去处。

项目名：Botanist酒吧

地点：上海


完工：2016年4月

设计师：Alberto Caiola

摄影师：Dirk Weiblen


编辑：SAM