Where The Root Is: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Carlie Ling and K.D Hsu's Award-Winning Office Design Inspired by Shanghai's Unique Urban Qualities

The design draws inspiration from the unique urban qualities of Shanghai, a city that epitomizes the intersection of East and West. The office is located in a residential building with a western-influenced exterior and an old Shanghai-styling interior, creating a unique elegance. The design team utilized the Root as the core design concept, and dark walnut-texture symbolizing Trees and its steadiness, all of which articulated the stern quality the corporation represents.

The client, a high-achieving young entrepreneur from Shanghai, chose the HsingKuo Building in the city center for his headquarters. The historic building is imbued with a dark walnut-texture design vocabulary, and all guests and employees are greeted with a traditional Chinese tea-style reception, creating a relaxing space for interaction.

The design incorporates the ancient Chinese concept of Circular Sky and Square Earth. The flat ceiling intersects with timber line work to manifest the interwoven roots of Trees, an enriched image of premium spatial quality, while patterned timber flooring and wooden grille screen outline circulation and usage demarcation in a subtle yet connective fashion.

The office is treated with grey-color carpet and wool wall carpet for a pure and elegant ambiance. The supervisor's office is well concealed and separated from the other open spaces, along with its own tea-tasting room furniture by humble chairs and wooden tables from the Ming Dynasty, to ensure privacy. The back of the room is treated with grey tiles covered by high-tech woven fabric, reminiscent of traditional Chinese wisdom re-interpreted with modern design vocabulary.

The design faced challenges due to the old building's lack of ceiling height and column interval. The solution was to feature lightweight ceiling work and darkened walnut flooring to connect with repetitive storage volumes that extend the overall spatial-visual. The timber grille screen brings transparency and layered quality from different angles, skillfully dividing yet casually connecting each sub-space.

In conclusion, 'Where The Root Is' is a testament to the designers' ability to blend tradition and innovation, creating an office space that is not only functional but also a reflection of the unique urban qualities of Shanghai. The design's success is evident in its recognition by the prestigious A' Design Award, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.