Shanghai Sunrise Polymer Material Office

Those who have been to the new Shanghai Sunrise Polymer Material office may say there’s some real chemistry going on there. Perhaps it’s the laboratory glass-flask hanging lights. Or the hexagonal skeleton-formula-shaped sound-absorbing ceilings and lamps (apparently the smallpox molecule is a main design theme).

Located within Juxin Park–Caohejing Hi-tech Park, the 2,100-square-metre rectangular space was designed as a work environment that inspires and stimulates the younger generation employees to concoct new chemical formulas and product concepts.

The design brief was clear: maintain the space’s advantage, enlarge its visual perception, and enable information sharing and exchange.

The space includes a reception area, conference area, a café run by college students, an alumni centre, experimental area and office area. The leisure conference area between the executive office and open office area becomes both the staff supply station and a convenient discussion venue.

As the company’s founder graduated from Tianjin University and is head of the Tianjin University Alumni Association, the new office space includes an alumni centre that also serves as an incubation space for students to explore their entrepreneurial prospects.

The office area comprises open office space, conference rooms, executive office and recreation area—designed for efficient collaboration and communication. The fully open and semi-private environment breaks the mould of the traditional office model, ushering in a new era for the company. Simple lines, with tones of black, white and grey, mark the firm’s rigorous attitude and rational strategic thinking.

TRANSPARENCY
The space enjoys large windows on three sides. To maximise light penetration and unobstructed views, glass is used to create a ‘transparent’ office. Ultra-white luminous glass is interspersed throughout to make the walkways clearer and brighter.

A chemical experimental area covers a quarter of the entire office area. A 1.8-metre-wide walkway connects the laboratory with the office area, with glass walls allowing both sides full view of the other. Through the windows, large tracts of green plants can also be appreciated from the workspaces, a sight for tired eyes.

PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Shanghai Sunrise Polymer Material Office
Location: Shanghai, China
Completion Date: August 2017
Gross Floor Area: 2,100 square metres
Building Height: 1 storey
Client: Shanghai Sunrise Polymer Material Co, Ltd
Architecture Firm: CCDI GW Design
Design Development: Cui Dina; Yang Yanling
Interior Design Firm: CCDI GW Design
Principal Designers: Pu Yuzhen; Wang Huan; Zeng Huifan
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Li Yun
Quantity Surveyor: Zhang Xueliang
Project Manager: Li Zhiyu
Interior Fit-Out Contractor: Shanghai Yu Bo Building Decoration Engineering Co, Ltd
Images: CCDI GW Design; Lu Fei