In December 1987, fresh snow blankets the rooftops of closely spaced homes in Shanghai. The elevated view reveals a dense pattern of tiled roofs, chimneys, and narrow gaps, emphasizing the compact scale of older residential neighborhoods.

The snowfall temporarily softens the city’s hard geometry, creating a quiet pause within an otherwise crowded urban environment. The photograph records a rare moment when weather, light, and stillness momentarily reshape the experience of everyday housing.