A city carries its own memories and historical events.
Old streets and alleys bear the marks of history.
Business interventions shape the contemporary way of life.
Engaging in a dialogue with century-old streets and alleys,
the venue transforms into a stage where people and stories continue to unfold—across the city, the past, and the future.
01 / “Qingdao Memories”
Centuries-old streets and alleys enriched by historical layers
△ Image sourced from the internet
Beijing is known for its hutongs, Shanghai for its alleys, and Qingdao for its courtyards and century-old streets. Among them, Silver Fish Lane stands out as a notable example.
This area mainly consists of traditional courtyard buildings characteristic of Qingdao, holding significant historical and cultural value. They have witnessed the century-long storms of Qingdao’s history. The name Silver Fish Lane originates from the German term “Silberfisch,” which means “Silver Fish Street,” reflecting the street’s origins. Additionally, inspired by a local Qingdao nursery rhyme, “One, Two, One, On the Street,” the area is affectionately called “On the Street · Silver Fish Lane,” blending friendliness with cultural heritage.
Since early 2020, comprehensive protective restoration efforts have preserved both material and cultural elements in Qingdao’s historic urban area. A collection of original local brands has been introduced to create an “original brand collection block,” breathing new life into the old street.
△ Image sourced from the internet
△ Image sourced from the internet
△ © Li Di
02 / “Dialogue”
Brand infusion and ongoing conversation
Brand x Culture
Exploring the relationship between brand and local culture.
The M Stand brand originated in Shanghai in 2017 as a coffee chain. “M Stand” represents “Mind Stand,” meaning “no need to boast, not defined.” Each individual holds their own position and strives to realize their true self. Here, M symbolizes Mind, representing self-awareness, and Stand signifies a field or stance.
△ © Li Di
People x Space x Venue
Dialogue among people, space, and place.
The Qingdao Yinyu Lane block is one of the earliest developed areas during the German occupation, situated near Qingdao’s old railway station and port. It mainly consists of traditional courtyard buildings that serve as important records of Qingdao’s unique history as a commercial port. Over time, the wharf, seaside resort, Old Railway Station, and Yinyu Lane have become popular cultural and tourist destinations.
△ © Li Di
By establishing a “dialogue” between the brand and the city, the brand raises its “flag.” The side sign is strategically placed at the visual center of the main road, integrating the brand’s identity into daily life from a fresh perspective.
△ © Li Di
From the perspective of the time-worn century-old street and alley, the space now assumes a new vibrant role, simulating a “conversation” that bridges time and space.
03 / “Space Construction”
Century-old wharf witnessing change
△ Image sourced from the internet
Zhanqiao is a landmark in Qingdao and one of its most iconic urban symbols. Built in 1892, during the 18th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, the wharf initially served as a dedicated military dock for the Beiyang Navy. It was the sole endpoint of the Qing Dynasty’s Jiao’ao garrison naval supply line and the earliest artificial wharf in Qingdao. The port of Qingdao also began its development from this point.
Over the following century, the wharf underwent multiple repairs and renovations, but it still stands resilient on the coast of the Yellow Sea. As the city grew, the wharf evolved and transformed into a scenic spot.
The wharf symbolizes Qingdao itself and embodies authentic history. Countless stories of Qingdao are etched into its structure, standing by the sea and reflecting on the city and its people.
Using Qingdao wharf as inspiration, public space design interventions have been introduced.
△ © Li Di
Beside the wharf,
Stay, an ‘anchorage’
△ Image sourced from the internet
The design concept mimics the outward curve of a wharf, raising a mast to hoist the brand flag. Enclosures and boundaries are planned to invite pedestrians to pause, rest, and then continue their journey, creating a “dock” or anchorage.
The curved stone steps at the entrance evoke cultural memories tied to the old buildings. M-shaped tables feature legs inspired by abstract pier components, while cable pile-shaped seats add playful elements to the street atmosphere. Visitors can stop or walk onto the wharf, where two seagulls are often seen resting.
△ © Li Di
△ Image sourced from the internet
△ © Li Di
△ Image sourced from the internet
△ © Li Di
The wharf acts as the centerpiece of the constructed space, forming a core “recreational” route.
A wharf is a place where history and time converge, interact, and depart. It quietly observes the passage of time, the unfolding of history, and the present moment.
It connects people, objects, and places, weaving together venue, culture, life, and memory. A place to pause and reflect, bridging time and space.
△ © Li Di
The wharf’s shape is central in the space, guiding recreational flow and forming a visual focal point. The evolving styles of the guardrails along Qingdao wharf throughout different periods are reinterpreted using modern design techniques to create symbolic elements.
Using the boundless sea shrouded in dense fog as a backdrop—a characteristic often seen in Qingdao where the city appears and disappears—the weathered wooden handrails, hand-chiseled bluestone slabs, and wooden furniture textures add weight and warmth. The weathering steel surfaces carry historical traces, allowing history and the present, old structures and new materials, to engage in a dynamic dialogue.
△ © Liu Nannan
△ Image sourced from the internet
△ © Li Di
△ © Liu Nannan
To preserve the authentic texture of the building, the suspended ceiling features a series of carbonized wood partitions. These add a sense of rhythm while discreetly concealing air conditioning equipment and pipelines, enhancing the building’s weathered and mottled character.
△ © Li Di
△ © Liu Nannan
△ © Li Di
The evolving guardrail designs from various periods are distilled into symbolic modern elements, allowing a leapfrog conversation between history and present, old buildings and new materials.
△ © Li Di
△ © Liu Nannan
To minimize damage to the beams while meeting lighting needs, suspended steel wire rope pendant lights were chosen. The connectors were designed to blend with the old wooden beams, cleverly concealing wiring and heat dissipation.
△ © Liu Nannan
△ © Li Di
04 / “Stay”
Standing quietly, setting off anew amid the interwoven past and future.
Using coffee as a medium to savor the moments, counting down the century-old Silver Fish Lane.
Stay. Wait.
This is a realm of time, the physical texture of space, and the expression of the human form—much like the edge of a wharf.
The weathered walls and red tiled roofs left by time carry historical imprints and traces of repairs from different eras. Behind these historic buildings lies the endurance of time, embracing everything.
While honoring history, this space allows the new interpretation of brand culture to continuously intersect and intertwine.
△ © Li Di
The brick-red tiles, mottled brick walls, and yellowed textures of time remain, preserving a wealth of historical imprints. They quietly tell the story of this old street, waiting for passersby to come and go, to pause, to meet, to order a cup of coffee, and then to set off again.
△ © Li Di
△ © Liu Nannan
Listen to the echoes of the old buildings,
a time-traveling conversation spanning a century.
The infusion of brand business continues to compose new dialogues.
The echoes resonate.
Project Information
Project Name: M Stand Qingdao Silver Fish Lane Flagship Store
Location: Qingdao, Shandong
Area: 157 square meters
Design Agency: BALANCE DESIGN Balanced Space Design
Design Lead: Dong Xinmeng
Design Team: Dong Xinmeng, Chen Jie, Lin Weihao, Su Tiancai, Chi Qing
Copywriting: Chen Jie
Completion Date: September 2023
Photography: Li Di, Liu Nannan
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