Tiny Topics: Feel the Power of Spring in Shanghai

Tiny Topics explore the small, quiet, human moments of worklife
– the wonderful views, the favourite chairs, the quirky restaurants up the road.

This Tiny Topic is from the perspective of Grace Zhu,
Assistant Marketing Manager Greater China. Grace is based in Shanghai.  

Translated from original article in Chinese

Shanghai is a city of overcast, drizzling skies where unbroken rain often falls for a week at a time. Because sunshine is infrequent, it is all the more precious. Haworth’s Shanghai showroom is located on the top floor of the Kerry Centre; when the sun shines brightly, you can see all the way to the heart of the city from here. You can even see the three iconic towers of the Lujiazui Financial District in the distance. When guests visit the showroom, they’re always astonished – the scenic view outside the window is stunning. And inside the showroom is full of vitality as well, with lots of thriving indoor plants.

Shanghai showroom: a relaxing place bathed in sunlight

Whenever I get tired at work, I stand before this window and gaze out at the city’s scenery. From here you can see the entire town – all sorts of luxury hotels, high-end malls, and art events at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. On the elevated Yan’an Road, traffic flows past in a never-ending stream. You can feel the pulse and the life force of the city, bringing your thoughts from a limited, finite space and extending them out into the limitless, infinite world.

Shanghai showroom: yoga classes every Thursday

Every Thursday after work, we have a yoga class together in the showroom. We have yoga mats courtesy of Lululemon, a dazzling view of the city at night, soothing music and invigorating plants. In this hour, everyone can follow the teacher’s rhythms, concentrating on form and breathing. In this moment, turbulent thoughts go still. We feel the strength within our bodies circulate and renew. 

Lunch break: the flower shop on Nanyang Road

Many of the plants in the showroom come from a small little flower shop. It takes about ten minutes to walk there from the showroom. Sometimes after eating lunch, my colleagues and I stroll there together; it feels as though we’re in a little flower garden, seeing the distinct flowers of spring and summer and fall and winter in full bloom. Every so often we’ll buy a freshly cut bouquet to take home. Sometimes the power plants have to heal your mood is far beyond your imagination. Bring beautiful flowers and plants home – that will take care of everything.