DUTS design’s cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction

duts design creates a headquarter industrial building that appears floating above water.

DUTS design edited by christina vergopoulou September 28, 2022 5 min

DUTS Design completes industrial building in Shanghai

DUTS Design has realized a ‘floating’ headquarter building in Lingang, Shanghai. Commissioned by Techstorm, the team completed the design solution of the headquarter industrial park that combines architectural planning, interior and landscape architecture. The brand-new Techstorm Headquarter Park provides a user-friendly office space, a brand-new modern factory, a R&D center equipped with world-class equipment and advanced production lines. In the effort of integrating a public cultural space experience into industrial buildings and offices, the DUTS design team created the complex headquarters office park in a ‘museum-like’ concept. The public cultural space experience goes along with a pop of greenery in the center of the building, promoting a human-nature relation. The smart industrial park offers energy saving solutions and works towards environmental protection and sustainable production.

DUTS design creates a cantilevered building for industrial park in Shanghai — the team functionalized the structure and created a feeling of a public cultural space throughout the area | all images by DUTS design

communication and innovation in a user-friendly layout

The layout and planning of the entire headquarter park accommodates various functions such as production, office, R&D, leisure, and display. The user-friendly office environment and functional layout can fully meet the needs of enterprises and employees, making ground for communication and innovation. Some areas have the potential for re-planning and functional iteration, which can be adjusted according to the future development of the enterprise. Using a design technique called ‘gray space’ in public cultural buildings in the industrial park, the team functionalized the structure and created a feeling of public cultural space throughout the area (see more here).

a ‘floating’ contemporary office building

The corporate headquarter office is built under contemporary design aesthetics and can adapt to the constant changes of the modern lifestyle. The user-friendly environment allows employees to work, live and socialize in a space that conveys the company’s values and sense of responsibility. DUTS design adopts a design strategy that creates a unique spatial experience. Starting with the exterior, a ‘mirror’ pool is unfolded under the 40-meter super-scale cantilevered building with a T-shaped walkway floating on the water surface. Sunlight is cast from above and onto the water lighting up the central entrance and inviting guests inside. The fluidity of the water mass enhances the strong look of the structure above.

human & nature interaction in a vibrant atrium

Concerning the interior, DUTS design used the height difference formed by the cantilevered architectural shape in the interior to create large scale of shared space, as well as a amphitheatrical lecture hall for Techstorm office. The use of natural light and the minimal aesthetics enhance the orderly arrangement of the interior layout. In the connecting space between the first floor and the second floor, the team created a cozy atmosphere with the materiality of rustic wood in warm color. A vibrant atrium is visible from both levels through a glass curtain wall revealing a 360º garden view, and, also, provides cross ventilation and natural lighting. The garden and the large mirrors that project natural light inside the building create a human-nature interaction.

duts-design-industrial-building-techstorm-designboom-1800-2 — at the entrance of the park, the cantilevered building appears floating above water

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 1 — the lobby of the office building has a more industrial look

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 2 — the open & shared office area in ‘box’ style splits in different levels

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 3 — in the public area of the laboratory and mezzanine office lobby, the warm-colored wood creates a cozy atmosphere

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 4 — the outdoor scenery becomes the most eye-catching feature in the space

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 5 — the wooden details compliment the metallic structure

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 6 — using the created spatial form as an integrated sunken guest space

DUTS design's cantilevered building in shanghai promotes human-nature interaction - 7 — the warm color of the wooden details balances out the industrial look of the interior

duts-design-industrial-building-techstorm-designboom-1800-3 — the office building floats above water in the industrial headquarter park

project info:

name: Techstorm Headquarter Industrial Park
designer: Ling Zhong

architecture: DUTS design

location: Lingang, Shanghai

built area: 25,802 square meters

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