linehouse transforms former opium factory into WeWork office hub in china

nestled within a turn of the century brick building in china, WeWork weihai lu is a colorful office space completed by shanghai-based architecture studio linehouse. originally used as an opium factory and artist residency, the complex is celebrated by encapsulating the feeling of a grand hotel that transport guests and members on an unexpected journey of whimsey, voyeurism and festivity. upon arrival, visitors pass through an old laneway framed by a traditional chinese arch. walls and concrete floor are painted pink whereas above them, lights are festively suspended between the façades.

linehouse wework weihai lu: a green staircase weaves through the circulation space, joining the triple height space 
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

the site is a combination of historical features with further industrial additions that have been made over the years. hence, linehouse has played with this narrative in the different spaces of the wework office hub. the reception counter, located within this in-between zone, is clad in heritage wood paneling and surrounded by a concrete base. behind it, a bronze metal structure hangs lighting fixtures and where guests are greeted with a neon ‘ring for service’ sign contained in a cabinet of curiosities that is painted light blue.

The central atrium is encased by the heritage facade.
image © dirk weiblen

the existing steel structure is painted ivy green, with a new black metal and stained OSB handrail leaner wrapping the triple height space, allowing guests to be spectators of the activities below. following that spirit, one characteristic element of the renovated hub is the green steel staircase that weaves through the circulation space — connecting all three levels of the front of house. the latter is clad in triangular pieces of oak wood, with one side painted in hues of blue. colors alternate as one travels up the stairs, creating a gradient of tones and shifting views from wood to blue. the staircase leads to the two pantry areas that play on the opium factory narrative, with large scale poppy wallpapers hand-painted in gold.

the terrazo is patterned with diagonal strips of pastel
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

furthermore, the central atrium is surrounded by the heritage façade where a curved terrazzo tray is inserted to define the space. pastel diagonal strips of blue, green, pink and grey wrap the floor and wall, creating a hardscape carpet. a bronze structure is suspended above the terrazzo perimeter wall — hanging mirrors, artwork, shelving and lighting features. passing through that area to the back bar located within the heritage building, one is transported to a tropical retro oriental parlor. a gold gradient wallpaper envelops the perimeter, with hand-painted shanghai ladies clothed in zebra attire and adorned in gangster bling — their era blurred between the 1920’s and the present day.

a tropical retro-themed pantry with a fan-shaped neon lighting that adorns the bar
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

offering a warm spirit to the co-working hub, a bespoke lighting installation is suspended in the triple height space where pink and grey cables traverse the void. these strings are threaded through circular bronze rings from which custom glass shades are hung. finally, bathroom walls are lined with pink and green printed tiles that creatively interconnect lines and shapes. the ceiling is covered in a dusty pink and a mint green lacquer box contains the cubicles where bronze light fixtures and mirrors create a parlor-like vanity.

a curved terrazzo tray forms a hardscape carpet, with a bronze structure suspending mirrors, artwork and  lighting 
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

the bespoke lighting installation is suspended in the central atrium
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

the community manager reception desk is reminiscent of a grand hotel with its neon signage
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

a relaxed seating corner of the atrium space
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

detail of the pastel colored patterned terrazzo in the atrium area.
image © dirk weiblen

the existing steel structure painted in ivy green, with stained OSB handrail wrapping the space
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

colors alternate as one travels up the stairs, creating a gradient of tones from wood to blue
image © jonathan leijonhufvud

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom

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