Space Matrix Design Consultants Create a Dynamic and Immersive Office Environment

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an eco-conscious office design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Space Matrix Design Consultants.

Donglong Fintech Park is a 13-story office building located within Zhengzhou’s prestigious Longhu Financial Island. Designed by Space Matrix, the 21,000 sqm interior promotes a healthy, eco-conscious, and tech-enabled workplace. Drawing inspiration from water—a symbol of prosperity in Feng Shui—the design integrates reflective materials like mirror-polished stainless steel to create a dynamic and immersive environment. Key features include a shared conference center and a premium Entrepreneur’s Salon, supporting collaboration and executive networking. With integrated smart systems for lighting, access, and navigation, the project blends innovation with cultural context to deliver a future-forward workspace for leading financial enterprises.

What was the client’s brief?

The Donglong Fintech Park project, commissioned by Donglong Group—a major state-owned enterprise spearheading the Longhu Financial Island development—was envisioned as a future-ready, green, and technologically advanced office hub that would attract top-tier financial institutions and global talent. The brief called for the creation of a youthful, eco-conscious, and vibrant workplace within a 13-story, 40,000 sqm building. Our scope included the interior design of approximately 21,000 sqm covering the lobby, public spaces, shared conference center, staff cafeteria, office floors, and a premium Entrepreneurs’ Salon. The aim was to support a new era of financial innovation through an inspiring, user-centric, and highly functional environment.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design of the project was inspired by the symbolic and literal presence of water. In Feng Shui, water represents prosperity and abundance, and flowing water symbolizes income. This became the central narrative of the design—positioning the building as a magnet for financial capital and global talent. By leveraging water’s unique qualities—transparency, fluidity, and reflection—we created a space that embodies openness, innovation, and modernity. The water features connect seamlessly with the artificial lake at Longhu Financial Island, reinforcing coherence with the broader Fintech Island development.

Beyond symbolism, water also inspired the material palette and spatial forms. Mirror-polished stainless steel, high-transparency glass, and light-reactive finishes mimic water’s depth and movement, while ceiling undulations echo the philosophical concept of “round heaven, square earth.” Together, these elements established a design that feels both technologically advanced and culturally grounded, aligning with the client’s vision for a modern financial anchor point.

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

The toughest hurdle we faced was balancing multiple layers of complexity—symbolism, user experience, and technology—while ensuring that the design aligned with both cultural meaning and modern functionality. Interpreting water as the core design inspiration required us to go beyond aesthetics: we had to translate it into spatial forms, material choices, and smart-building systems that were not only beautiful but also practical. Another challenge was coordinating the needs of diverse stakeholders—from state-owned enterprise headquarters to financial tenants and property managers. Through immersive user journey simulations and advanced digital modeling, we were able to harmonize these demands, optimize light and flow, and ultimately deliver a design that is both culturally grounded and technologically forward-looking.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Donglong Fintech Park integrates sustainability, innovation, and advanced technology to set a new benchmark for modern financial workplaces. The project has earned China’s Green Building 2-Star Design Label and a LEED Gold Certificate, underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility. Key sustainability features include energy-efficient lighting systems, intelligent HVAC controls, low-flow water fixtures for conservation, and the use of recycled or locally sourced materials where possible. From an innovation standpoint, the project redefines traditional office typologies. For example, the main lobby replaces a conventional reception desk with a welcoming café bar, creating a social anchor for visitors and tenants. Multifunctional zones support events, product launches, and informal gatherings. The top-floor Entrepreneurs’ Salon is a standout feature—a luxurious, multi-use space blending business, leisure, and culture through amenities like a library, movie room, art space, and wellness zones. Technological integration is at the core of the project’s smart building strategy. Automated parking, facial recognition-based access control, elevator dispatch systems, dynamic digital signage, smart lighting, and motorised curtains ensure a seamless, user-centric experience. These features reflect the building’s progressive identity and future-ready infrastructure.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

As a global design firm headquartered in Singapore with 15+ locations worldwide, we value platforms that benchmark our work against the best. The SBID Awards are internationally respected for their credibility, visibility, and rigorous standards. Entering allows us to showcase our innovation, strengthen client confidence, and gain global recognition for projects that reflect our commitment to excellence and human-centric design.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Becoming an SBID Award Finalist is a significant achievement. Being recognized by a prestigious organization like SBID confirms that our designs are not only beautiful but also strategically impactful and globally relevant. This recognition enables us to showcase our expertise on a global stage. This recognition is a direct result of our team’s hard work, creativity, and dedication. Being named a finalist instills a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, reinforcing our shared values and inspiring us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design. It validates our #tomaketheworldabetterplacetowork mission, showing that our efforts have a real, tangible impact.

This isn’t just an award; it’s a validation of our vision and a catalyst for future growth and innovation.