Revolutionizing Shared Office Spaces: Li Xiang's Ideas Lab

Blending New Retail Commerce and Co-Working Spaces in a Futuristic Design

The Ideas Lab, designed by Li Xiang, is a testament to the transformative power of design in the 21st century. Drawing inspiration from the advent and popularity of computers, the lab aims to create and spread more information for learning. It serves as a joint research and development hub for consumers and information technology creators, exploring the hidden business value of the era through a multifunctional space.

What sets the Ideas Lab apart is its unique design properties. While it takes factories of the Age of Steam as a prototype, only the most basic functional parts are kept. The original two-storied space was transformed into a high-ceilinged area, and the ground space was restored with a minimalist approach. "Reaction tanks" are designed to offer new retail experiences, providing consumers with different consumption experiences brought by different devices in different tanks.

The realization of this design involved reconstructing the floor slab in the 4m-5m high space, interweaving it with the restored "reaction tanks". The use of clean and cool concrete depicts the concise and efficient character of the space. "Energy delivery pipes" are used to hide wires and cables of the air conditioning, simplifying the industrial designs exposed in the space. For parts of the space, such tubes are used on the ground, and a series of tables and chairs are made according to the shape of the tubes, adding a sense of layering to the whole space.

The design project, which started in August 2017 in Shanghai, China, and finished in January 2018, faced several challenges. The most significant was understanding the real needs of the customer group, including the mall operator. This understanding helped create a space that satisfies all their needs. Another challenge was to take into consideration the mall operator's needs as the design occupies the atrium of the mall and is presented to other consumers directly.

The Ideas Lab was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, Li Xiang's Ideas Lab is a groundbreaking design that revolutionizes shared office spaces. By integrating new retail commerce into a co-working environment, it offers a unique consumption experience in a minimalist, yet functional setting. This innovative design is a testament to the transformative power of design in the 21st century.