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Against the backdrop of a global culture steeped in consumerism, every aspect of our lives is being consumed. As the physical medium of consumer behavior, commercial architecture is undeniably a vital link in this consumer society. "Insta-worthy" spaces—embodying trends, spectacle, and the culture of the gaze—are a direct manifestation of this influence. Yet, looking back at architectural history, we must also acknowledge that the rise of consumerism has largely driven architectural development. The influx of capital and the keen interest of real estate developers have, in some ways, granted architects more opportunities to realize their creative ideals within commercial projects.

Whether in cities or rural areas, "consumer architecture" functioning as public space often serves as the most prominent gathering point. To explore how to create comfortable, inviting commercial spaces, this article presents a curated collection of the best "consumer architecture" of 2021, offering design inspiration for your next project.

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Founded in Shanghai in 2016, atelier tao+c’s practice spans diverse scopes and scales—from a single pendant light to an entire neighborhood, from urban micro-residential interiors to rural house renovations, and from street-front retail to youth communities. Alongside their practical work, they focus on research topics such as building adaptive reuse and the domestic settlement of objects in living spaces. Free from the constraints of typology and scale, the studio approaches every design with a focus on scale, construction, proximity and intimacy, and the reconciliation of the past with the immediate present. By reconstructing the exploration and understanding of typology, they seek to reveal the latent possibilities of each site.

Established in Shanghai in 2016, Atelier tao+c’s practice spans a diverse range of typologies and scales, from a single pendant light to an entire neighborhood, from micro-apartments in the city to the renovation of old rural houses, and from street-front shops to youth communities. Alongside our design practice, we are dedicated to research initiatives focusing on the renewal of existing buildings and the spatial organization of objects within residential environments.

Unconstrained by typology or scale, our projects focus on scale, construction, proximity, intimacy, and the dialogue between the past and the immediate. Through an exploration and deep understanding of typologies, we seek to uncover the latent potential within each site.

Our design methodology begins with a retreat to the interior, allowing space to grow outward from within, breaking boundaries and forging connections within the often-overlooked interstitial spaces between architecture and interior. We employ elemental forms, clear proportions, and unexpected sectional variations to cultivate a nuanced and cohesive sense of scale across interior and exterior realms. By elevating direct, everyday local materials and vernacular construction methods into a profound expression of craftsmanship and detail, we aim to allow life to unfold in all its complexity within a framework of simplicity.

The studio's work has been featured in books by prominent publishers such as Gestalten and Phaidon, and widely published in leading international design media, including The Architectural Review, Domus, The Plan, AIT, Azure, Wallpaper*, ArchDaily, Dezeen, Yellowtrace, and Divisare.

Website:   www.ateliertaoc.com

WeChat:  西涛设计工作室

Instagram:  atelier_taoc

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In much of China, concrete remains the dominant construction material. Despite growing concerns over its environmental impact, concrete continues to align with the priorities of many developers and clients—it is fast, cost-effective, and highly durable. As a result, most building types in China still rely heavily on concrete. This reliance is further reinforced by China's position as the world's largest producer of Portland cement. A deeply entrenched supply chain, rooted in raw material manufacturing and economic infrastructure, ensures that concrete remains the default choice in the construction industry.

Yet historically, Chinese architecture was built upon a rich tradition of timber construction. The Forbidden City is a prime example: not only is it emblematic of China's architectural heritage, but it also remains one of the largest and best-preserved collections of ancient wooden structures in the world. This legacy prompts an important question: does timber construction have a meaningful future in China's contemporary building industry?

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