workshopXZ Shanghai Office Renovation / workshopXZ

The project is located in a lane on Huaihai Road, Shanghai French Concession. Built in 1930 as a garden house, the house has weathered the historical storm for nearly 100 years, compared to a well-preserved, restored historic building separated by a wall. It had lost its original plan and layout during the gradual adding-on throughout the history: Two slender wings have been added on either side of the main structure, which encircles the small courtyard like two arms; and the most interesting is a glittering ionic column painted gold standing in the center of an entry room, like a Ding Hai Shen Zhen. This column becomes the visual focal point of the entire space, and also the anchor of the entire design. The most open functions revolve around the column: exhibitions, drawing and model making, discussions, and a library, all take place here. Two 6mm thick stainless steel plain plates protrude from the wall, meet around the column, and anchor their load-bearing feet on the column. The gap between the two plates is filled with magnetic tracks, turning this suspended metal island into a pluggable workbench.