C+ architects has produced an office space in beijing whose design is oriented around the strategic infusion of natural light into the body of the building. nestled beside the japanese and US embassies, the offices were previously used in the film industry, and a number of darkrooms existed within the original plan that had to be opened up for use by the new client. bringing sufficient light into the space was the first consideration of the team.

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
bringing sufficient light into the space was the first consideration of the architect
all images by xia zhi

 

 

to achieve this goal, C+ architects has punctuated the building with three sun drenched courtyard spaces. the courtyards, which benefit from the ever changing lighting effects of the weather, direct sunshine into the interior halls and can be used as conference rooms, working areas or administration offices. atmospherically tied to the world outside, the mood of the courtyards is defined by the current weather and provide an opportunity for workers to connect with the natural environment. in addition to this, portholes installed in the ceilings of the halls work alongside artificial lighting to create a workplace that is bright and aerated at all times. 

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
circular holes are repeatedly used to direct light into the space 

 

 

to further encourage the suffusion of light throughout the space, interior partition walls have been removed and are replaced with either glass windows or translucent polycarbonate sheeting. these light penetrating walls can reduce the pressure in the space while ensuring the privacy of independent offices.

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
portholes work alongside artificial lighting

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
translucent polycarbonate sheeting is used to replace interior partition walls

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
the courtyards benefit from the ever changing lighting effects of the weather

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
the offices were originally used by the film industry, and included a number of dark rooms

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
dramatic skylights draw sunshine into the halls

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
a model of the newly designed offices

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards
the three courtyards as seen from above

 

drawingsC+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards

 

C+ architects illuminates a beijing office with strategic sun-drenched courtyards

 

project info:

 

lead architect: cheng yanchun
design team: cao pengfei, li zhaoye, yang chao, zhang ran
program: office, building renovation
timeframe: march-august 2016
status: completed
location: no.50 yansha, beijing
area: 688 sqm

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: peter corboy | designboom

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