Our reflection on commerce considers what kind of architecture and interior effect can be presented in a small courtyard located near the Guomao CBD in Beijing, enabling competition with the surrounding chain coffee brands and boutique coffee shops. The aim is not only to attract people but also to provide a space where they can linger, stay, and be willing to make repeat purchases. Therefore, we proposed the somewhat avant-garde idea of 'building a greenhouse in Beijing's CBD,' which incorporates a garden into the indoor relaxation area.

The Beijing Youyi Store, in its early days, was the first foreign-related store in New China and the largest of its kind in the country. It served as an important window for Beijing's diplomacy, having hosted many heads of state, government leaders, and prominent figures, thereby possessing a unique historical status and cultural value. However, as time has passed and surrounding trendy shopping malls have emerged, it has gradually lost its former luster.

This case is located at No. 17 Jianguomen Outer Street in the Chaoyang District of Beijing, within the garden of the Beijing Youyi Store. It was once the old equipment room of the Friendship Store and has been abandoned for a long time. Transforming a dilapidated, characterless equipment room into a trendy coffee shop poses significant challenges.

At the beginning of the design process, the most pressing questions revolve around how to present a unique style within a site rich in historical ambiance while harmonizing with the surrounding environment, and in what manner the building should be portrayed.

Through multiple on-site investigations, the design keenly captures the original historical context and natural characteristics of the site. The centenarian trees located nearby serve as the main characters in the spatial narrative, standing tall and robust with dense foliage. Through these trees, one can almost glimpse the past vitality and vibrancy of the garden behind the Youyi Store.

Through extensive contemplation of the space using the model, it was discovered that opening the top and sides of the building to introduce sunlight and tree shadows allows the abandoned structure to re-establish a symbiotic relationship with the natural environment. Sunlight filters through the treetops, casting mottled light and shadow on the ground, where each ray touches the depths of weary souls, presenting a sense of beauty that transcends time and space. This results in the unique scene of a 'café under the shade of trees'.

The top side opens to delineate the original building corridor, with the front area designed as an open and bright guest seating zone that integrates modern elements, while the logistical space retains its enclosed characteristics, preserving the old brick exterior wall that bears historical marks.

The open guest area and the enclosed logistics space interact to create a bold design experiment. The daring use of a curved glass roof breaks the constraints of the original box-like structure. The tall, bright glass windows interweave with the shadows of trees, casting a unique interplay on the aged walls and floor. This conflict is not adversarial; rather, it achieves harmony through the flow of light and shadow and the contrast of materiality. The juxtaposition of the old and the new establishes a distinctive spatial tone.

During the design process, emphasis is placed on the experiential interaction between individuals and the environment through architecture. The aim is to create spaces that are warm, comfortable, and relaxing, evoking a sense of vacation. Upon entering the space, individuals can instantly feel at ease, allowing them to shed their fatigue and take a moment of respite.

The most critical issue with the glass "greenhouse" featuring a curved roof is the excessive sunlight exposure in summer, making it unsuitable for prolonged sitting. This design addresses the problem from three aspects:

Utilize a tensioned mesh filter. A layer of aluminum tensioned mesh is laid along the curved ceiling in conjunction with the interior and structure, softening direct light, which serves both a sunshading function and conceals some aesthetically unappealing structural joints.

Adjustable sunshades. A layer of sunshade is added to the glass areas, which can be opened or closed depending on the intensity of sunlight, thereby addressing the varying light intensity at different times.

Vintage fans. The top design of the vintage fan not only enhances the nostalgic atmosphere but also promotes air circulation as the fan rotates, providing a gentle breeze that thoroughly relaxes both body and mind.

Utilizing green plants, various types of vegetation are introduced into the indoor space, which are surrounded by greenery to visually reduce temperature. This approach, in conjunction with the shadows cast by the ceiling, creates an environment reminiscent of a sunlit garden.

The above not only completely addresses the issue of excessive sunlight on the glass roof but also enhances the spatial hierarchy. Sunlight filters through the leaves, glass, aluminum tension mesh, gauze, fans and green plants, cascading layer by layer onto the ground to create mottled light and shadow. Coupled with soft background music, it allows one to instantly relax.

In spatial design, using "historical fragments" as a clue for integration, the selective extraction of historical relics, historical memories, and cultural symbols, along with modern interpretation and scenographic restructuring, allows the space to become a "tangible narrative carrier of history." This approach preserves the warmth of history while avoiding the heaviness of retro design, allowing modern spaces to engage in a "dialogue" with the past rather than merely "replicating" it.

The entrance to the space is reconstructed by interspersing solid blocks with a curved roof, enhancing visual tension through the juxtaposition of the square stainless steel entrance with retro logos and old doors, combining modern materials with traditional elements.