MoHen Design International Office

View of the main workspace.

Project Details

• Project Name: The MoHen Design International Office
• Client: MoHen Design International
• Project Type: Workspace Design
• Principal Designer: Hank M. Chao
• Design Team: Apple Wang, Amanda Zhao, Lu Zhao, YingJian Wang, YuMing Zhang
• Date of completion of project: February 2006
• Location of site: Shanghai, China
• Site Area: 498 square meters
• Cost of Execution: 600,000 RMB

View of the stairwell.

The Project

The interiors of the office, located in a three-storeyed building in downtown Shanghai, were designed in an attempt to redefine and emphasize the nature and use of classical elements in contemporary architecture.

Trims, keystones and arches, among other elements, which are traditionally structural as well as ornamental in their function, were retained in the design for purely decorative purposes.

View of the floral acrylic panels.

Acrylic chandeliers and relief backdrops made from white acrylic floral panels were designed in-house and used extensively in the office. These clearly yet subtly pronounce the design concepts of the workspace without distracting the regular user.

View of the conference area.

Two free-standing boxes enclose the pantry, copy room and bathroom right beside the reception desk. The boxes are designed to provide a complimentary visual effect while utilizing the space to its maximum potential.

The user of the space is seen as the focus of the design and each element introduced in the space is to serve him.

View of the main reception desk.

The main working area is accessed via a stainless steel gate. Two long faux-finished tables occupy the center of the space and are lit by modified table lamps.

Sliding doors made of modular strips of stainless steel create the backdrop to the work space while concealing shelves which house the clutter of daily office equipment and documents.

View of the Executive Office.

The predominant colors in the palette are black and white.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs: Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Varun Ajani