Project Name: NTMY design Studio
Address: Zendai Himalayan Centre, Nanjing
Type of project: Office space
Building area: 120sqm
Year of completion: 2022
Principal Designer: Zhuang Wu, Shiyu Fu
Photography: mou architecture studio, yuuunstudio
Partners: Nanjing boquan Decoration Engineering Co Ltd, Nanjing Yunduo Technology Co Ltd
Main materials: Birch plywood, polished concrete, anodised aluminium, DuPont™ Tyvek® material
The new space needs to fulfil the main functions of daily office, negotiation, photo studio, cutting, sewing and ironing, as well as solving the problems of displaying and storing fabrics, samples and tools.
The original site was an irregular large open space. Considering the impact of noise and dust generated by sewing and ironing machines on the office area, we divided the large space into three sections and used the recessed corners on the north side to enclose an independent area, which is relatively private and has no direct natural lighting, and is used as a photo studio, for fittings, and as a reception area for negotiation. With the parallel insertion of the new wall, two working scenes are divided into dynamic and static. The middle area is connected to the entrance, where the water bar and office functions are set up, and the space near the window is used as a communication and discussion area, which brings a private atmosphere to the users with its relatively narrow scale. On the south side, we integrated the space, while keeping the openness in the centre of the space, we put different functions, different forms of display and storage in the surrounding area, so as to create a free operating space for users to move around and use for any function.
In terms of materials and details, we pursue simplicity, practicality and objectivity. The accumulated materials on the surface were peeled off layer by layer, and the concrete skeleton was gradually revealed to outline the space, removing unnecessary decorations. While dismantling them, we read their skeleton and texture carefully, and also gave them new meanings, such as the fire fighting pipes that grew out of the cabinets. The old and new forms blend and are unique when juxtaposed with the different textures. White DuPont™ Tyvek® material is used several times in the space as partitions and curtains, creating more flexibility in the space. Plywood, galvanised and oxidised metal are also incorporated, and these textured materials, along with colourful fabrics and spools of thread are displayed to dispel the inorganic atmosphere of the office. We tried to use simple materials to build a workplace where the old and the new are mixed, where freedom and rationality coexist.