Brand Story
────── Since 2000 ──────
Period I — From the Old Streets of Shanghai
The story of SH Chanson begins in the historic Shikumen neighborhoods of Shanghai, where founder Binlai Luo spent his childhood surrounded by old brick walls.
But as the city pushed forward with rapid modernization, the very buildings that once defined Shanghai’s character came to be seen as outdated and were demolished in large numbers. Similar scenes unfolded across the country, and the bricks and tiles were reduced to mere construction waste.
During this time, Luo came across ideas such as waste reduction and sustainable building—concepts that offered a different perspective on materials from demolished structures. Luo began to consider the possibility of recycling these old bricks and bringing them to overseas markets. Even though the idea was unconventional and likely to face many obstacles, his wife, Yuanqi Dai, supported him from the beginning.
With this belief, SH Chanson was founded—first with bricks from Shanghai, then expanding to sites across China. Over time, we expanded beyond reclaimed bricks to include terracotta tiles, roof tiles, stone troughs, and other materials sourced from historic buildings. Luo can often identify a brick’s origin by its color, shape, or texture—and each one carries a fragment of history he has learned to recognize. That, we believe, is the true charm of reclaimed materials: their weight is not only physical, but also historical.
Period II — Beyond the Old: Seeking New Possibilities in Clay
As SH Chanson gradually grew and built a steady base of clients, our product offerings began to expand beyond reclaimed materials. We started exploring the potential of newly produced bricks—both machine-made and handmade—so we could better respond to specific design and quality requirements.
Dai and Luo began visiting factories across different regions, carefully selecting partners whose practices aligned with our standards. They worked closely with these teams to adjust production details—from clay mixture and firing temperatures to the subtleties of surface finish and tonal variation. These efforts aimed to deliver bricks that not only looked and felt right, but could also stand the test of time.
Just like the reclaimed bricks we began with, we hope these newer materials will one day acquire their own sense of age and presence—carrying forward the same patience, tactility, and potential to last.
Period III —From Supply to Creation: Building Our Own Voice in Clay
Unlike traditional trading companies, SH Chanson works closely with partner factories—not only to supply existing products, but to co-develop new collections that reflect evolving design sensibilities and long-term sustainability goals.
As the company grew, we assembled our own materials lab and glaze development team to deepen our involvement in product innovation, especially in the area of glazed bricks. These efforts have allowed us to experiment further with reclaimed materials—such as applying custom glazes to old bricks—and to explore lower-temperature firing techniques that reduce environmental impact while maintaining product integrity.
We continue to look ahead, always searching for new ways to refine quality and expand design possibilities. At the same time, we remain rooted in our original values: honoring the materials of the past while building with care for the future.
