PROJECT INFORMATION
Umbau Werkstatt in Nanjing
This building is a reinterpretation of the original structure built in the 1950s. The main framework determines the rhythm and language of the new design. While preserving the original architectural form, we replaced the old roof with new daylight-insulated glass of the same shape, allowing abundant natural light to fill the interior of the three-story structure.
Upon entering Building 28, visitors encounter an interplay between staircases, walkways, and greenery, creating a harmonious space that integrates humans with the natural environment within the original architectural framework. The staircases and walkways connecting the functional spaces are essential to the design. They not only link different functional areas but also create new learning, relaxation, meeting, and working spaces, as well as architectural features that foster growth. The atrium, bathed in warm sunlight and adorned with light-colored vegetation, completes the design.
PROJECT CONCEPT
The entrance lobby adopts the form of an urban plaza, serving as both an exhibition area and a café. A stepped atrium leads to a second-floor reading space, which can be used for individual activities or as seating for events. With the addition of a curtain, the space can spontaneously transform into an auditorium, amphitheater, or screening room. The curtain also facilitates flexible transitions and separations between spaces of varying sizes.
The atrium serves as a convergence point for people from various functional areas, where they can sit, chat, or read, basking in natural sunlight from the roof. This creates a sense of freedom that feels simultaneously within and outside the architecture. The newly constructed interior harmoniously integrates with the original historical framework and natural elements.
Through efficient organization of the interior space, the different functional zones are interconnected yet independent. Whether one needs a quiet corner for reading, a spot to meet and converse with friends, or a space to enjoy a brief video exhibition, the building offers an ideal setting.
The office spaces located on the second and third floors above the main entrance are designed to operate effectively without interfering with the primary flow of people. Meanwhile, the shops on the building’s north side are positioned outside the main structure, preserving the integrity of the historical architectural façade.