Office And U-shaped Glass
Design Concept: Spatial Reconstruction of the "Glowing Staircase"
Core Concept
Redefine vertical circulation and spatial order through the Glowing Staircase.
Replace the original L-shaped staircase with a centrally positioned straight single-flight staircase to create a spatial focal point.
Design a looped traffic flow around the staircase to organize various functional zones, forming a decentralized open office layout.
Design Metaphor
Preserve industrial heritage (brick walls, steel beams) and integrate modern elements to create a retro industrial style.
Combine U-shaped glass with skylights to channel natural light deep into the building, symbolizing the spatial transformation of breaking out of the cocoon and transforming into a butterfly.
Spatial Layout: Ingenious Division of "Positive and Negative Spaces"
First Floor
West Side: Private Zone (general manager's office, enclosed meeting room, utility area)
East Side: Open Zone (main office area, discussion area, lounge area)
Entrance: Renovated into a reception area, connecting the outdoor space with the interior.
Second Floor
South Side: Offices for administrative staff (relatively private)
North Side: Open office area (with wide views)
East Side: Independent narrow space (for group discussions or relaxation)
"Positive and Negative Spaces" Window Design (Patented Highlight)
Each window is divided into two parts: the indoor positive space and the outdoor negative space.
Positive Space: The glass window is installed on the outer side of the window frame, with the windowsill serving as a storage shelf.
Negative Space: The openable glass window is installed on the inner side of the window frame, facilitating ventilation and reducing rainwater infiltration.
The black steel plate window frames and white painted brick walls form a material contrast between refinement and roughness.
Innovative Application of U-Shaped Glass
Facade Renovation
Use a large area of U-shaped glass as the main building facade, accounting for the majority of the exterior surface.
The translucent property of U-shaped glass adds a sense of lightness to the building, weakening the heaviness of the original industrial plant.
The corrugated texture of the glass creates rich light and shadow changes under different light conditions, enhancing the architectural expressiveness.
Core Application in the "Glowing Staircase"
Install U-shaped glass walls on both sides of the staircase to form a light corridor.
Install a skylight (6.2 meters long and 1.1 meters wide) on the top; sunlight is diffused through the U-shaped glass, casting a soft halo indoors.
The skylight spans three roof trusses and is welded to the original roof trusses via steel keels, which not only provides natural lighting but also enhances structural stability.
Characteristics and Selection of U-Shaped Glass
High Strength: Higher mechanical strength than ordinary flat glass, suitable for the renovation of industrial buildings.
Excellent Light Transmittance: Provides ample natural lighting and reduces energy consumption from artificial lighting.
Sound and Heat Insulation: Improves the original thermal performance of the plant and creates a comfortable office environment.
Easy Construction: Reduces structural load and lowers renovation costs.
Technological Innovations and Detailed Treatments
Structural Reinforcement
Preserve the original plant structure and carry out protective reinforcement on the deformed roof trusses.
The skylight is welded to the original structure to form a composite support system, extending the service life of the building.
Material Matching
U-shaped glass + black steel plates: Creates a modern industrial aesthetic.
Preserved red brick walls + white paint: Achieves a dialogue between history and modernity.
Heavy bamboo materials were considered for local areas (new wood was finally used due to construction period constraints).
Humanized Design
Convert the north-side windows into doors leading to the planned courtyard, enabling interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Add a kitchen, restrooms and a lounge in the auxiliary building on the first floor; the kitchen directly connects to the courtyard, facilitating outdoor dining or small gatherings for employees.
Design Value and Impact
Spatial Value
Successfully transformed a 350-square-meter old plant into a modern office space suitable for internet enterprises.
The Glowing Staircase and open layout promote team communication and creative collisions.
Achieve a spatial experience transformation of "a small space with a grand pattern".
Industry Impact
Set a model for transforming old plants into cultural and creative office spaces, and was praised by the industry as "minimalist design creates infinite possibilities for internet enterprises".
Its patented "positive and negative spaces" window design provides new technical ideas for building renovation.
Plays a demonstrative role in promoting the renovation and upgrading of cultural and creative industrial parks in Beijing.
Conclusion: Poetic Rebirth of Industrial Heritage
The renovation of Building 8 in Banbidian No.1 Cultural and Creative Industrial Park is not a simple space renovation, but a qualitative change from an old factory building to a creative container through the core concept of the Glowing Staircase. The large-scale application of U-shaped glass not only solves the problems of lighting and spatial transparency, but also endows the building with a light and flexible temperament, successfully eliminating the heaviness and enclosed feeling of industrial architecture.
This project proves that industrial heritage can be reborn through ingenious design, retaining historical memories while meeting modern office needs. It is not only a case of architectural renovation, but also a wonderful interpretation of sustainable design and spatial narrative, providing new ideas for the reuse of industrial heritage in urban renewal.
