In today’s fast-paced work environment, offices can become stressful battlefields. In reconfiguring an office space in Shanghai, Muxin Design and Research Studio decided to infuse a slower, cosier home environment to enliven the stiff and cold spatial relations of typical office spaces.
In this project, traditional offices spatial relations are broken up, reconfigured and reassembled to meet the needs of a new breed of office spaces and help improve cooperation and communication between colleagues.
The main elements of the design are warm materials and leafy green plants. Located in a dense commercial neighbourhood, the south-facing office enjoys good lighting conditions. The designers integrated the outdoors with the interiors with a large picture window, a row of bamboo canes lining one wall and trees flanking the other. The entrance area has a welcoming living room feel with a sofa, coffee table and bar. The plants also conceal a ground floor office from the waiting area.
The bamboos rise tall to the upper floor, creating a hidden courtyard where workers can sit and reflect. The mezzanine ‘bridge’ provides a focus of perspective, leading people to look upwards. The combination of transparent glass panels and white walls not only enhances the illumination, but also creates various layers of space.
The upper floor is accessed through delicate, slim stairs, made of a combination of concrete, wood and metal. The designers tried to decrease unnecessary decorative elements, making the connection between the ground floor and second floor lighter to reduce the sense of pressure brought by the limited vertical space area.
The main project constraints were a tight budget and short project period of two months. A simple design, with cost-effective materials and common construction technology, resulted in high design scheme feasibility and smooth implementation.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Gutian Office
Location: Putuo, Shanghai, China
Completion Date: April 2016
Gross Floor Area: 96 square metres
Interior Design Firm: Muxin Design and Research Studio
Images: Zhang Da-Qi
