...non periodic oscillations...

Signage is one of the most ignored component of architectural and urban design. I think even the poor urinal partition beats it in terms of attention and resource allocation. Signage is intrinsic to wayfinding. It is like the warmth of a lover - one only realises how important it is when it goes missing. It feels great to see a city giving signage the importance it deserves, whether they are at an architectural or urban scale. Dual language signage is present almost everywhere although there is room for improvement. Strangely though, the printed network maps available in the stations are only in Chinese. The Metro network and station maps are very informative and quite well done too. The Indian design industry really needs to push this agenda with clients and make signage a standard package instead of an afterthought. #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #publics...

Sunday is meant for rest and relaxation, even if my friend AG doesn't agree with this fact. After years of only thinking about it in Delhi, we finally went out for a proper Sunday picnic in the park, with food and picnic-y things. The West Bund is a beautiful waterfront development packed with activity from early morning till evening. It is also home to The Long Museum West Bund (http://www.thelongmuseum.org/en/page-3-1005.html), which will be visited on another day. A good day filled with friends, food, lazing in the park, playing uno and interesting conversations with strangers. Fell in love with this lovely pavilion in The West Bund. Delicate proportions and a beautiful visage. Yes I know, the photograph could have been framed better. #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #publicspace #outdoors #picnic #sunday #westbund #thelongmuseum #longmuseum #friends #food #conversation...

Tianzifang turned out to be the HKV of Shanghai. That's all that I can say...phew... Did you notice the juice-in-a-blood-bag packaging? #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #publicspace #outdoors #tianzifang #hkv #hauzkhasvillage #crowded

We finally saw "Universe of Water Particles in the Tank" by teamLab at the "Tank Shanghai" ( IG page ) today. The space within the tank was enthralling and I'd love to have a look at the projection setup :) "A group of decommissioned oil tanks, a pool for fire-fighting, and the site they sit on - previously Longhua airport on a prime stretch of Huangpu River, are preserved and transformed into an urban park. The tanks are turned from containers of oil to containers of art and life." Link to Project Page This site is destined to become an important public space for the city. The surrounding area is still developing and the venue itself is only partly commissioned. We also visited the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Arts Centre however, they do not allow photography so... http://www.shanghaipropagandaart.com/ #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #architecture #design #urban #publicspace #outd...

We finally fulfilled our Tourist Dharma today by visiting Nanjing (W) Road and the Bund. The area has some iconic historical buildings but that will need another day of exploration. The interesting bit was spotting a store selling traditional Chinese musical instruments where a sweet girl played the Chinese Zither for us and it was mesmerising. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower was seen and dutifully photographed. Lunch was rounded off with a lovely shrimp dumpling in soup. The highlight of the day though, was having kadak desi chai at an Indian restaurant :) #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #thebund #zither #history #dumplings #indian #kadak #desi #chai

Licensed to Busk #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #street #busking #busker

Public spaces like parks and plazas form an integral part of the Chinese community life. From Tai Chi to exercise to dance, these spaces are buzzing with activity in the evening, full of kids, adults and seniors. We witnessed the usual activities while walking home and chanced upon this group of kids learning to dance, in the middle of the plaza. Such fun! #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #community #dance

A nice open space with warm sunshine is more than one can ask for in a city where the weather is as unpredictable as the road user in Delhi. Except, maybe, a cup of hot chai to enhance the warmth? #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #sustainability #chai #sunshine #delhi

I was walking amidst the highrise buildings and the glass boxes, with nothing exciting to look at. Took a turn and there this beautiful building stood. I love the terracotta facade and the bold lines. It stands out on the street without being loud and pompous, inviting one to explore what lies within. #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #sustainability #jingan #wulumuqi

You can make a glass box in any shape and size but you can't beat the Sun. #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #sustainability

Simple and beautiful, this grating doesn't just do it's job, it forms an integral part of the phenomenology of the space. It is absent yet present. The rhinoceros on the other hand, cannot be ignored even for a moment. It announces itself and compels one to acknowledge it's presence. By the way, did you notice the alignment of the joints? #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #phenomenology

Went to the Spring Commune Festival in Yong Ping Lane. A beautifully designed market, it has a number of small, two storied buildings within the plot along with plazas instead of the typical, large single structure of the mall typology. Personal opinion - malls are the most boring building typology. The washroom signage was interesting as was the hotel building on the opposite side of the road, with a terracotta facade. The Commune Festival meant that a lot of small businesses had setup stalls selling a variety of items from alcoholic tea to olive oil to "German" sausages to jewellery to seaweed. Of course, the overwhelming majority of stalls were selling jewellery :) #shanghai #newadventures #explorechina #nonperiodicoscillations #publicspace #outdoors #architecture #design #spring #springfestival #yongpinglane #hengshanroad