vermilion zhou design’s inexperienced therapeutic massage prospers in shanghai

entering a blooming dream-like world

‘green massage‘ in madang road, shanghai, invites its visitors to get immersed in a sensory experience. conceived by vermilion zhou design, the resort shrinks reality into a fantasy forest filled with unreal-sized flowers and glow-worm lights. the entire concept is inspired by ‘alice’s adventures in wonderland’, welcoming people into a dream-like world.

it’s a process that gradually disconnects the tired body and the consciousness of awareness is slowly liberated and relaxed. the interior succeeds in expressing through a space that continuously flourishes. each room has a narrative to tell, enticing the guests to investigate further. the proper dim illumination accents the calming journey further.

all images by yunpu cai

somewhere between dream and reality

the ‘green massage’ is placed within the comprehensive commercial property of the big red building designed by jean nouvel. nestled into the basement of the building, the architects turned the defect to become an advantage. the entrance is metaphorically compared to the ‘rabbit hole’ — where alice fell into and entered wonderland. once coming in, the visitors face a blooming garden occupied by calmness and serenity. 

the design team opted to avoid wide openings in an attempt to maintain a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, where natural light is limited; somewhere between dream and reality. the architects filled the entrance with large green plants lit by glow-worm lights. unreal-sized flowers lead to the garden, while the irregular mirrors once again reflect the feeling of a surreal world. ‘in the end, alice found herself through the dream world, and at ‘green massage’ in madang road, we created a ‘rabbit hole’ to lead you out of the stress and tension in an incongruous reality with non-incongruous comfort and tolerance.’

the glow-worm dancing light in the massage area guides people into a flower maze