L'École des Arts Joailliers - Shanghai

L’École School of Jewelry Arts opened a new space in Shanghai in September 2023.

This project was an opportunity to imagine a setting for a school with many activities within the Twin Villas, an emblematic place in Shanghai's history. A real oasis in the city, this exceptional building features a flower-filled garden away from the hustle and bustle of Middle Huaihai Road.

Three years in the making, the Twin Villas have been fitted out to accommodate the activities of L’Ecole School of Jewelry Arts with elegance and humility. Restored historical elements guided the design of the facilities, which were conceived with respect for the architecture. Dark wood panelling punctuating the spaces set the tone for the entire proposal. Rounded fixtures and furnishings are delicately integrated and aligned to smooth the path and facilitate use. A chromatic range of subtle hues runs through the various rooms, creating a harmonious pathway adapted to the poetic and technical activities taking place there. Aura Studio's lighting design echoes the natural light that floods each floor.

The École welcomes a wide variety of users, including students, visitors coming to see exhibitions and conferences, and staff. It was essential to create a space that could be easily understood by all, where everyone felt welcomed, guided and never intimidated. The space was designed to accommodate all these functions, with a focus on ergonomics, modularity and simplicity.

Initiated during Covid, the project was largely carried out remotely, with the help of digital tools enabling to tour the spaces without actually visiting them. It was made possible by an exceptional collaboration with L'École teams and with local architects. Thanks to this synergy, the Twin Villas, those asymmetrical twin sisters, have been reunited in a single, functional and harmonious building where it's a pleasure to stroll, study and visit remarkable exhibitions.