industrial materials + lush greenery blend in CCD shanghai headquarters

focusing on the emotional needs of employees

settling among the historic houses of the madang road in shanghai, china, the new headquarters of architecture firm CCD blends past and future within the bustling fabric of the metropolis. conceived as a quiet, comfortable, and user-friendly working space, the newly unveiled complex integrates multifunctional spaces, industrial materials, residential-style greenery and dramatic paintings. the overall design focuses on the emotional needs of employees, exploring a new aesthetic that brings work, nature, and art closer together.

all images by lu haha, courtesy of CCD

serving as a modern workspace and cultural venue

the new premise of CCD shanghai headquarters is located on the roof, a new iconic landmark in xintiandi, the core area of shanghai’s central business district. the roof was designed by award-winning french architect jean nouvel, who has created plenty of world-famous projects including the national museum of qatar, the louvre abu dhabi, one central park, philharmonie de paris, etc.

in designing this headquarters office, the architects implemented the four principles of ‘art, humanism, efficiency, and warmth’. abandoning the monotonic ‘cubicles’, the team has revolutionized traditional workspaces using modern design ideas, while adding elegance and aesthetics to practicality. the newly formed environment accommodates offices, a coffee bar, an open kitchen, a book bar, single-user acoustic office pods, multi-functional conference rooms, and a salon area. the new headquarters serve not only as a workplace, but also as a public venue for holding art shows, movie parties, academic meetings, coffee sessions, and other business and leisure activities. it is also an exhibition hall of the world’s top materials, a museum of material brands.

a relaxing place for open communication

by thinking out of the box, CCD adopted a mix-and-match approach in order to create a casual elegance. the integration of greenery, sunshine, industrial-style elements, and visually dramatic paintings makes the coffee bar appear like a small art gallery. meanwhile, the open kitchen incorporates oriental catering etiquette, providing an open island for buffet dinner, satisfying diverse needs, and showcasing the versatility of the space. with food as the medium, this area brings people together and stimulates casual, sincere communication.

‘we gather here to enjoy a fabulous experience, to feel our value, and to make work more than just work. this is an extremely relaxing and cozy place for communication.’ shares the design team. the restrained yet diversified layout and color palette, the warm sense of sophistication, and the elegant temperament reveal the unique language of CCD. this is not only a functional workspace but also a warm, welcoming place for all employees and visitors.