Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression 3rd February 2021 | IN OFFICE DESIGN | BY SBID

Project of the Week

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an office design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist SHH Architecture. Luxury interior and architecture design practice SHH has completed new top floor headquarters for leading Chinese developer, KWG Group holdings, in Shanghai, China. The 32,500 sq ft project unfolds over two floors in a twenty-storey building at an office campus just west of the city centre of Shanghai. The premises have been designed by SHH to be client-focused, making a strong first impression, while reflecting the quality of KWG’s existing offices in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

SBID Awards Category: Office Design Sponsored by Schneider Electric

Practise: SHH Architecture & Interior Design

Project: KWG Headquarters Shanghai

Location: Shanghai, China

The office space on level nineteen provides the main reception, boardroom and meeting rooms boasting views over the Huangpu River. Cellular offices for senior staff are located around the perimeter of the floor with uninterrupted river views.  Level twenty is largely dedicated to executive facilities including VIP offices and suites for the company CEO and President. It also accommodates smaller areas of general workspace, a secondary reception and lounge, along with an additional breakout area.

The design is sophisticated and welcoming throughout. The materials palette includes timber, stone, leather, fabrics, laminate glass, mesh and brass highlights. Suspended from ceilings are feature planters with integrated lighting which define circulation routes and provide visual interest at a high level.

, Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression

What was the client’s brief? 

The brief formulated by KWG called for a solution that would make a statement about the company’s design-led approach to their property developments and impress this upon their clients as the company expanded into the Shanghai market. Accommodating executives, senior management, building professionals and designers this messaging was also important for staff, instilling a sense of collective pride and confidence within them all.

, Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression

What inspired the design of the project?

KWG are one of the top ten developers in Mainland China and their portfolio consists of commercial office developments, five-star hotels, luxury residential developments and shopping centres. So the occupants of and visitors to this office might be involved in any of these market sectors. Our design approach was to cross boundaries and create a hybrid of hospitality, hotel and workplace in terms of character. This was achieved through the use of quality materials and thoughtful detailing set alongside functional efficiency and consideration for how company employees inhabit and use the space.

, Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

This project is just one of more than half a dozen we have undertaken with the client. Having worked so many times with them we have established a great understanding with each other and there are very few hurdles that we have to overcome as a result. If there was one particular challenge with this project it was time. The design and development of projects in China is so much quicker than what we’re accustomed to in the UK. KWG set a very ambitious programme for completion, however, our designers rose to the occasion and delivered what was required of us on time.

, Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

In all honesty, the highlight is working with the people at KWG. As a group, they understand design and appreciate what it can contribute to the quality and success of a project. We have developed a mutual respect between us and as a result, the whole process is really enjoyable. It’s been a meeting of minds and characters. A number of us at SHH have had the good fortune to travel to China on multiple occasions to meet directly with KWG and visit construction sites. And I think we’re all sorely missing these face to face encounters with the current travel restrictions that are in place.

, Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

SBID provides a great platform for recognition to practices that wish to showcase their work to a talented global audience by bringing together high standards of work from across the world.

, Client-Focused Office Design Creates Strong First Impression

Questions answered by Brendan Heath, Director of Hospitality & Commercial Interiors, SHH Architecture.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a classically modern kitchen design, click here to see more.