Shanghai's Ideas Lab represents another daring venture by architect-designer Li Xiang, founder of X+Living. Her project collaborators included Fan Chen, Yan Xiafei, and Chen Xue.
The 1,100-square-metre (11,840 sq. ft) fully revamped space serves as a retail, research, and office hub for the expansive Powerlong Group, whose portfolio spans real estate, hospitality, tourism, culture, arts, industry, and information.
The goal was to design an environment where researchers, office workers, and retail visitors could interact, collaborate, and explore future information technologies.
The overarching design concept merges the Industrial Age with the Age of Technology, accented by ornate gothic details for added visual intrigue.
The architects employed the visual and material language typical of factory settings: elevated metal walkways, massive tanks, and utility pipes.
The walkways double as stairs and pathways, the tanks are transformed into interactive technology experience zones for customers, and the piping conceals air conditioning, electrical wiring, and cables.
The rounded tank shapes are echoed throughout the double-height space in arched windows and doorways, curving staircases, and circular seating arrangements.
Pipes and metal fixtures appear consistently across the interior.
The double-height space evokes the heavy-duty efficiency of vast factories, yet the soft curves and predominantly white palette with hints of muted pink foster a friendly, playful atmosphere.
The upper level houses offices, while the lower level contains common areas and retail, but the open layout keeps everyone visually connected.
We have previously featured several X+Living projects, such as the Neobio Kids’ Restaurant in Shanghai and the Zhongshue Book Stores in Chengdu and Shanghai. Tuija Seipell.
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