usual studio’s 170-square-meter ‘rope wave office‘ is located in shanghai‘s QSW culture center. the client wants to create a low-budget working space, yet innovative and attractive. in this office, small-scale design teams and startups can work together and share resources.

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
entrance view of rope wave office in shanghai
all images by tim wu

 

 

the floor plan of circular shapes designed by chinese based practice usual studio and streamlined in the open space shows the function and makes the room usage more efficient. the original space below the public staircases is too small to be used. according to the space conditions, this area has now been turned into a reading and corporate culture display area.

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
the client wants to create a low-budget working space, yet innovative and attractive

 

 

most of the materials used in the ‘rope wave office’ are naturally resourced, such as rope, steel and wood, which are low-price and eco-friendly. in order to highlight the rope material possibility and natural beauty, usual studio has used waving rope as the main design concept.

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
in this office, small-scale design teams and startups can work together

 

 

the dynamic, waving rope interface covers the original beam-column system, adding a more energetic atmosphere to the working space. rope weaving as a spatial partition, defines the function of each space and produces a small-into-large space experience. usual studio’s ‘rope wave office’ is decorated with warm colors and elaborate lighting and furniture, trying to create a comfortable and friendly space.

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
the staircase is used as a reading and corporate culture display area

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
the dynamic, waving rope interface adds a more energetic atmosphere to the working space

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
professionals can chat and share resources at the meeting area

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
this office tries to create a comfortable and friendly space

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
rope weaving as a spatial partition

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
most materials in this office are natural materials

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
the rope screen defines the function of each space and produces a small-into-large space experience

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
this office is decorated with warm colors and elaborate lighting and furniture

usual studio's chinese working space is decorated with naturally resourced materials
the ‘rope wave office’ seen from outside

 

 

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: apostolos costarangos | designboom