Category:
Office space transformation
📍 Project Overview
Project Name: Office Renovation for Shanghai Yutu Technology Co., Ltd.
Architectural Firm: Mix Architecture
Location: Beidou Industrial Technology Park, West Hongqiao Area, Shanghai, China
Gross Floor Area: 1,700 square meters
Completion Year: 2017
Photography: Hou Bowen
🧭 Design Background and Objectives
This project is located on the top floor of a stand-alone office building. The original layout followed a traditional central corridor design, with a floor-to-ceiling height of approximately 5 to 6 meters and vertical strip windows on all four sides.
The client’s goal was to not only improve the physical performance of the space (e.g., lighting and ventilation) but also to create a transparent, open, and futuristic office environment with an element of fun and creativity.
🧱 Design Strategies and Spatial Organization
Facade Renovation:
The south-facing exterior wall was transformed into a fully glazed curtain wall, significantly enhancing the interior’s natural lighting and ventilation.
Spatial Layout:
A large wooden cross-shaped core structure was introduced as the central organizing element. It redefined both horizontal and vertical circulation and clearly delineated open workspaces from private office zones.
Mezzanine Insertion:
By leveraging the generous vertical clearance, a mezzanine was added, concealing the original structural system and enriching the spatial layering.
Material and Color Contrast:
Flooring materials with light-dark contrasts were used to distinguish different functional zones and enhance spatial legibility.
Playful Features:
A hidden slide was incorporated into the wooden cross structure, connecting the upper and lower floors to add an element of playfulness to the office.
✨ Spatial Experience and Design Highlights
Interaction of Light and Shadow:
Vertical grilles enhanced the transparency of the walls. Natural light from the southern glass curtain wall filters through the grilles into the corridor, creating dynamic light and shadow effects throughout the day.
The Slide:
Discreetly tucked inside the wooden cross, the slide has become a beloved and fun means of travel between floors among staff.
Visual Identity:
The cross-shaped wooden structure serves not only as a spatial organizer but also as a strong visual landmark that defines the unique identity of the office.