glass + steel additions define beijing film studio by cun-design

chinese firm CUN design have completed its renovation of a residential house in east beijing into an office and work space for movie studio blue moon films. originally built in the 1990s, the building had fallen into disrepair, both internally and externally, and called for a thorough renovation of both the façade and functional facilities of the building.

the house was originally built in the 1990s, but had fallen into disrepair

cun-design maintained the original structure of the building during renovation, forming a contrasting boundary between old and new within the project. the main obstacle in converting the space was its age and poor structural condition. after removing the interior heat preservation materials, the underlying red brick was exposed and incorporated into the design. in order to create an aerated and expansive inner layout any removable partition walls were deconstructed, creating a fluid connection between the various distinct rooms. any remaining supports or pillars were wrapped in mirror, expanding the space and lengthening the visual dimension through reflection.

interior pillars are wrapped with mirror to increase the visual dimensions of the space

various private areas punctuate the space and function as enclosed meeting rooms for council or creative collaboration. clad in rippled plastic and a wooden grid frame, these rooms offer privacy without inhibiting the open nature of the office. a raw, unfinished aesthetic dominates here, as yawning holes in the walls serves as doors and passageways. complemented by concrete, glass and structured wood, the combination of materialities creates an aura of collaborative energy and distinguished modernity. encased in a glass box corridor, a cantilevered wooden stairwell replaces the original and is illuminated by lighting concealed by 4cm gaps on the ceilings. in the bathrooms, sinks and mirrors are sunken into the exposed surface of the wall, creating a ‘cave like’ effect.

private work spaces are concealed with rippled plastic and a wooden grid

forging a connection between the offices and their gardens, the building is opened with generous glass panelling throughout. the glass extension containing the stairs provides multi-storey views of the surrounding environment. a rusted steel shelf brackets the main face of the structure creating a sheltered relationship between the interior and the garden.

the more intimate meeting rooms are translucent, and do not interrupt the office’s open plan

glass panelling established a relationship between the offices and their gardens

the glass body extension provides ample views of the surrounding environment

a cantilevered wooden stair replaces the original 

triangular tube lighting gives the space a distinctly modern impression

4cm gaps in the floor and ceiling conceal strategic lighting, highlighting the contrast beween old and new

as many interior supports were removed as possible

a weathered steel shelf defines the face of the building 

project info:

name: office design for blue moon films, ‘a line between time’
chief designer: cui shu
design company: CUN design 
location: the 8th mansion, yujin garden, tongzhou district, beijing, china
function: office
designing period: 2015
finishing time: 2016.02
area: 500 ㎡
photographer: wang ting, wang jin

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