Huakang community represents the rapid change of contemporary times from a micro perspective. Like other similar communities with history in China, the appearance and attributes of these communities are undergoing tremendous renewals. Huakang community is located at the city central of Guangzhou, The community was built in 1998 with 8 buildings below 25 floors, unlike commercial shopping malls, street scenario depicts a totally different feeling that attracts new lifestyle brands to move in ever since 2017. With the emergence of branded space within Huakang community, when searching on local social media the related adjectives appear to be “popular”, “rat race”, “brand new”, “expensive”, which have little connection to the past 25 years of history.

When we first connected with LYFE, we were commissioned to design the brand’s studio place for bakery making, before LYFE opens a bakery shop next door later. The space was originally a lottery shop, the yellowish lottery trend chart hanging on the wall was vividly impressive, as if seeing local residents were coming in and out. Next to the trend chart was a broken hole, revealing loosen yellow mud bricks that were commonly used in the 90s as construction material.

Time attracted our attention. When we started noticing about time, it naturally lead us to think about the contrast between the new and the old. Time brings traces to the space: whether they are hand built bricks and stones, or naturally peeling paint, every roughness, cracks and mottled texture all display the most natural and authentic present condition. Traces embedded with abundant storytellings that reminded us of the original appearance here, and those storytellings are able to lead our imagination back in time. The discussion between the new, the preservation and the originals had become the origin we kept returning to during the process of designing LYFE.

We respect and emphasize the original structure of the space. Thick layers of latex paint on the columns were removed to reveal the original concrete texture. Original paint on the ceiling and beam were shoveled carefully to slightly reveling the yellow mud beneath, showing a hand crafted natural look. At the entrance, a semi-opened seating area was defined by a new built white ceiling, the same language depicted the kitchen facade, a new built white wall sit behind the original partition. Red bricks and concrete with obvious handmade traces were chosen to build functional elements such as bar counters and furnitures, the naturally formed air bubbles and porous texture merge with the original space as one. The purpose to layer the new and the old, is to tell a contrast between past and present.

LYFE wishes to bring long-term good to the local community. As a new member to Huakang, we put design less noticeable, instead we emphasised on creating a familiar atmosphere that can still be appreciated by the locals. History and stories will pass on by LYFE with a new look.