informal design transforms toy factory into community center for people and pets in china

informal design completes healing pets in hangzhou

Located in the Xiaoshan District of Hangzhou, Healing Pets by Informal Design transforms a former toy factory into a lifestyle destination for urban residents and their pets. Situated within West Lane Cultural and Creative Park, the project revitalizes an industrial neighborhood to foster warm community bonds between people and animals by offering flexible, inviting spaces where they can engage in shared activities.

The architectural design merges the old and the new, emphasizing sustainability while preserving the building’s original structure. The Chinese practice exposed the main roof framework and integrated it with contemporary additions, creating an open and fluid space. Natural textures are introduced through materials like washed stone, gravel concrete, granite cubes, textured paint, and marine plywood. The rough washed stone, used for the indoor bar counter, seating, and flooring, provides a durable, non-slip surface ideal for pets while maintaining an outdoor aesthetic. This selection of materials is designed to age gracefully, enhancing the building’s texture over time.

all images by Hei Shui

reviving an old toy factory as a pet-friendly urban playground

A pet-friendly ramp serves as both a functional element and a key branding symbol, integrating with the overall space. Graphic elements with three-dimensional qualities reinforce the identity of Healing Pets, reflecting its playful and engaging environment. Further, Informal Design uses pet-sensitive colors such as blue and yellow across the space’s lines and planes. Branding materials, signage, and installations are also thoughtfully crafted to echo the space’s functionality, with a pet map at the entrance and clever design details like a door handle that incorporates business hour information into a three-dimensional graphic.

By utilizing the building’s height, the design team creates a two-story space that ensures brightness and transparency while diversifying the spatial functions. The overall layout is composed of three sections — the cafe at the entrance, the activity area in the middle, and the functional area at the back — which maintains relative independence while ensuring an orderly circulation. The cafe is conceived as a landscaped courtyard, creating a continuous corridor that breaks the boundary between interior and exterior. A semi-enclosed landscape entrance is formed around a big tree, with the entire area wrapped in washed stones. These natural textures invigorate pets and enhance the outdoor feel with a fresh energy.

Informal Design transforms a former toy factory into a lifestyle destination for urban residents and their pets

In the middle, the activity area retains the original spatial structure and connects the first and second floors with a ramp, simulating a natural hillside for pets to roam. The park-style bench seating maximizes space for play, while the flow of natural light throughout the day creates a dynamic atmosphere. At the back, the functional area consists of several stacked boxes. The first level accommodates the pet hotel and grooming rooms, with capacitive glass partitions that can be flexibly adjusted to display the grooming room’s work status as needed. The second level features office spaces and a pet photography studio, with the offices offering a panoramic view of the entire space for improved communication and management.

Throughout, Informal Design thoughtfully crafts furniture details to provide a sense of security for pets visiting for the first time. Space is intentionally left under the seating areas to give small animals a safe spot to settle in and ease their anxiety, while the suspended design beneath the movable central bench minimizes obstacles during play. The space’s flexibility is further enhanced by fully movable furniture, allowing for easy reconfiguration to suit different pet-themed needs.

Healing Pets offers flexible, inviting spaces where people and animals can engage in shared activities