China-based design firm Muxin Design has reconstructed Chinese office space with curvilinear shapes, furnitures and fixtures in a high-rise building since the original space had inadequate streamlined layout with multiple irregular shapes and dead space. The design studio provides this overall utilisation with a low-budget, meeting the client's requirements. 

The client wanted the designers transform his office into a place where his staff can take a breath of nature behind the reinforced concrete walls. To this end, the designers abandoned the idea of traditional cubilces, and instead, they lined desks and bookshelves in curved shape alongside the walls and ceiling and moved the 'forest' into the office, making it an open space with natural vitality.

The client specifically wanted the designers to spare the space at the office entrance for meetings and negotiations, which makes the rest of the work area an irregular triangular space. In order to maximize the utilization of space, the designers creatively converted the disadvantage into the highlight of the project by using irregular curves in such an irregular space. 

Covering 111 square-meter area, the three sides of the office are designed to naturally spread around the center of the area, thereby making the entire space in a streamlined layout without any dead space. In addition, the designers have made full use of sunny windows, making the area by the windows into a free space for exchange and sharing. The introduction of green plants has also brought rhythm and cadence to the office.

Streamlined space with winding entrance makes people feel like straying into the Peach Blossom Garden when entering the office. An injection of fresh blood has been brought to the traditional office building. 

For the interior space, the designers have designed a peaceful and pleasant office garden without changing the original structure of the building, connecting the indoor and outdoor areas naturally and thus creating a new form of boundary.

People can escape the urban fog and haze, feel like working in a tranquil garden, which allows them to relax during intense work and thereby increases work efficiency. Curvilinear workspace contrasts with the rectilinear corridor, continuous curve divides the office into different spaces, providing people a completely different transition experience. 

The plants interspersed between tables enable the employees to feel the atmosphere of nature, and at the same time can effectively improve the indoor micro-climate and working environment. Plants are mainly those suitable for growing indoors, such as happy tree (Radermachera hainanensis Merr), with relatively low ferns and other small plants among them, making every corner full of green.

Glass partition in the conference room blurs the boundaries of space, which alters the stiff impression of conventional partitions. Natural and lightsome are the themes of this project. Abundant plants bring an attractive highlight to the office.

Traditional office is usually a semi-open space. Now, in this project, the office space is divided into various areas in picturesque disorder interspersed with trees and rocks, which makes the office more interesting and provides employees with a better experience.

The intensive use of wood conveys a sense of intimacy. Wood tables and decorations, together with white walls, form rich textural levels. With bookshelves and sofa as transitional spaces, the office becomes even more comfortable and pleasant by placing adequate plants. Graphic design elements in each functional area enrich the visual experience.

Axonometric drawing of the office space

Floor plan

Section-1

Section-2

First sketch of the office

Project Facts

Design team: Yves Zhang, Leo Sun, Ouyang Boyong, Wang Jie

Design Company: Muxin Design 

Location: Putuo District, Shanghai, China

Project type: Office reconstruction

Design scale: Interior design

Area: 111m2

Design time: November 2015-December 2015

Construction time: December 2015-February 2016

All images © Zhang Daqi

> via Muxin Design