In 2018, Wo Ye relocated his office to the 34th floor of the Binjiang Yintai International Business Center to accommodate his growing team. Situated by the Qiantang River, the new location offers expansive views that align perfectly with the company’s future plans and operations.
This design project begins with a focus on “needs,” employing concise yet creative solutions to foster an open and communicative workspace.
▲ Office facade
Core Concept – Soft Interiors Wrapped in a Hard Exterior
As both owner and designer, Wo Ye initially faced several design dilemmas:
How to arrange the space most efficiently?
Which materials would create the most appealing aesthetic?
How to incorporate accessories to enrich the environment without overwhelming it?
After numerous revisions, the decision was made to simplify the design. While a unique and bold style is valuable, successful design must ultimately respond to human needs.
▲ Open areas designed to accommodate various functions
Starting from these core needs, the design employs simple yet inventive techniques to create a flexible communication environment.
▲ Public areas
▲ Public areas
To maximize layout integrity, the designers boldly utilized materials like glass, plywood, soft furnishings, and strategic lighting to subtly divide spaces. The interplay of negative spaces between objects creates a bright, transparent interior that never feels sparse.
▲ Public areas and corridors
▲ Public areas
▲ Colorful glass casting light and shadow onto the floor
Office Block – Open Curved Spaces
The space is divided into three primary zones based on function: office, leisure, and conference areas. Curved forms are a dominant design element throughout.
▲ Public areas
▲ Entrance
▲ Curved window
A standout feature is the curved workbench in the public office space. Customized aluminum countertops line the edges, encouraging easy communication and collaboration among employees.
▲ Public area · Office
▲ Public area · Office
▲ Public area · Office
▲ Curved workbench snugly integrated into the wall
The independent offices maintain the design’s theme of freedom – scattered yet orderly. These two offices are nearly mirror images, separated from the public workspace by gradient glass partitions that preserve natural light.
▲ Independent office
▲ Gradient glass partition
▲ Independent office
▲ Independent office
The designer carefully selected office furniture to ensure the two independent offices share a consistent style and color palette while allowing subtle differences.
▲ Independent office · Main office
▲ Independent office · Main office
▲ Independent office · Deputy office
▲ Independent office · Deputy office
▲ Independent office · Deputy office
▲ City view from the office
Blank space plays an essential role in this design. To create a comfortable and inviting work environment, the designers reserved ample open areas, enhanced only by soft lighting.
▲ (BIM Work) Independent office
▲ (BIM Tutorial) Independent office
▲ Independent office
Leisure Block – A Space for Emotional Connection
Scattered throughout the office are small leisure zones designed to meet employees’ needs for communication and relaxation. At the entrance, a transparent cat house offers a delightful experience for staff and visitors alike.
▲ Cat house at the entrance
▲ Cat house at the entrance
▲ Entrance area
Opposite the cat house, a semi-enclosed bar area is equipped with coffee machines, refrigerators, ovens, and other appliances to support employees’ daily needs.
▲ Curved bar counter
▲ Curved bar counter
▲ Curved bar counter
▲ Curved bar counter
Within the public spaces, tea areas cater to smaller gatherings. Heavy, solid lighting fixtures contrast sharply with minimalist furniture, creating a striking yet elegant atmosphere.
▲ Tea drinking area
▲ Tea drinking area
▲ Tea drinking area
The rest area is located next to the curved workbench and is separated by suspended glass shelves. This subtle division blurs the line between work and leisure, allowing personal judgment and persistence to guide individual experience.
▲ Rest area
▲ Rest area
▲ Rest area
▲ Rest area
Meeting Block – The Breathing Box
The conference room is designed as a fully enclosed “box” to ensure privacy and quiet during meetings. Bright, light colors combined with curved doors and windows breathe life and energy into this otherwise closed space.
▲ Conference room
▲ Conference room
▲ Conference room
Materials – Calm Yet Passionate, Restrained Yet Indulgent
The design prominently features raw, inorganic materials such as concrete, aluminum panels, and glass. These seemingly cold elements are unified by soft, linear lighting, which imparts a unique texture and warmth.
▲ Material · Colorful glass
▲ Material · Colorful glass
▲ Material · Terrazzo flooring
▲ Material · Gradient glass
Colorful glass serves a unique and impactful function throughout the space. It diffuses the harsh spotlight glare while projecting vibrant colors onto the light terrazzo floor, crafting a refined and dynamic atmosphere in the rest area.
▲ Material · Colorful glass
▲ Material · Colorful glass
▲ Material · Gradient glass
▲ Plan view
▲ Elevation view
Project Information
Project Name: Office of Woye Space Design Firm
Location: Yintai International Business Center, Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Design Firm: Hangzhou Woye Space Design Co., Ltd
Lead Designer: Su Jing
Project Development: The Great Courage of the Party
Decoration Contractor: Zhejiang Jiezhu Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd
Visual Identity Design: Hangzhou Zhanzhan Culture and Creativity Co., Ltd
Building Area: 208 square meters
Photography: Su Jing
Artistic Support: Artist Yu Mengyi
Special Thanks: Zhang Xingxiang, Ma Fei, Kong Lihua, Deng Motorcycle, Liu Sixi, Lv Zhenjin
Zhiyin Furniture, Guanchen Furniture
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