SHAW Architecture Design Studio (SHAWADS), a Shanghai-based design firm, has created a stunning interior for Local Fish Coffee in Quanzhou that pays homage to the city's rich maritime heritage and the revered sea goddess Thean Hou. Located near the historic Thean Hou Temple, this 75-square-meter café transforms oceanic motifs and cultural memory into a captivating spatial design that reflects the region's deep connection to the sea.
Quanzhou holds significant historical importance as a major port city along the ancient Maritime Silk Roads, where it was known as Zayton to Arab traders. Drawing inspiration from this maritime legacy, SHAWADS employed vernacular materials and traditional handcraft techniques to create a dynamic, textured environment that evokes the essence of ocean waves and coastal landscapes. The design team incorporated innovative construction methods, including a custom wall treatment using mica powder and polishing techniques inspired by Moroccan tadelakt, resulting in a reflective surface that resembles both natural stone and flowing water.
The building's architectural form features a curved footprint that responds to the irregular site conditions. The recessed entrance and curved glass curtain walls effectively blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, creating a seamless flow. A central light well serves multiple functions by providing natural daylight, ventilation, and visual connection to the attic space above, establishing a layered and open atmosphere throughout the café.
At ground level, the designers created distinctive interventions including a small, beach-like sunken area embedded with shells and sculptural details that reference the area's maritime history. Reclaimed ship wood has been arranged in an organic pattern, suggesting driftwood naturally deposited along a shoreline. These elements work together to create an immersive environment that transports visitors to a coastal setting.
The coffee bar itself showcases three distinct materials: reclaimed wood, cast concrete, and glass, each reflecting different textures and forms that complement the maritime theme. The concrete surfaces incorporate seashell fragments and terrazzo to evoke wave patterns and geological layering. Through careful casting and hand-polishing techniques, the designers emphasize materiality and craftsmanship throughout the space.
Lighting plays a crucial role in the overall design concept. Suspended iron light rails, ceramic wave lamps, and other custom elements introduce movement and light into the space, responding to both the surrounding environment and historical context. These luminous ocean pendants add narrative depth to the poetic and restrained space, while the interplay of curved glass, exposed concrete, and shimmering mica surfaces creates a careful balance between natural, industrial, and traditional influences.
The completed interior by SHAWADS studio successfully integrates craftsmanship, material experimentation, and spatial layering to create a unique setting that references maritime heritage, ocean ecology, and regional identity. Despite its artistic ambitions, the space maintains fully functional areas for coffee service and community gathering, demonstrating how thoughtful design can honor cultural heritage while serving contemporary needs.
