x+living balances life and work with playful office design in shenzhen

shanghai based studio, x+living, has created the unova co-working space located in shenzhen, china. the goal was to create a space which can accommodate multiple companies and give full play to the employees’ individuality, and let ‘co-working’ no longer be just a synonym for ‘low-cost.’ the chief designer, li xiang, integrated artistic aesthetics and interesting visual effects into the four-storey space, and differentiated the tone and style of each floor based on their functions.

1F lobby

all images by shao feng, zhou yuqiang, hu yijie

the first floor, or ‘1f’ serves as the lobby and reception area, with two entrances. the main entrance is on the south side, from which people can reach the main area of the lobby and the workspace. the secondary entrance at the north area leads to the dining space, featuring a large striking art installation with the shape of a hot-air balloon. the second floor, 2f, functions as the dining space. x+living laid emphasis on design of the end area of the corridor using colorful background walls combined with interesting dining-related furniture and installations.

the 1F lobby

3f is a small workspace targeted at young groups. upon reaching 3f by taking the escalator from the lobby, people will first be welcomed by the words ‘work hard’ on a show window. x+living has utilized elements of gym equipment in the space to convey the idea of keeping balance between health and work. the design incorporates interesting features, such as the open bar area and relaxing ball pool on the side of the reception. passing through the reception area, people will come to the shared conference room and the telephone-booth-shaped resting rooms. the conference room is characterized by a minimalist design, while the resting rooms are decorated with a warm tone, equipped with soft seat and wall cushion. 

2F catering space

4f is a large workspace for mature and elite groups, using the same layout as 3f. the space near the escalators also functions as a public reception area, with the large office area surrounding it, so that employees of each company can reach their working area very conveniently. the overall space on this floor was endowed with a sedate and mature atmosphere by use of wood veneers and grayish-brown concrete coating in a large area. elements of exercise equipment can also be found in the space, reminding people to pay attention to physical health after work and creating a healthy work-life balance.

2F catering space

3F co-working space for young people

3F co-working space for young people

the 3F conference room is characterized by minimalist design

3F co-working space for young people

the 3F co-working space for young people

the 4F large co-working space

details of the 4F large co-working space

washroom interior

project info:

project name: unova co-working space

location: shenzhen, china

area: 8800 m2

completion time: december 2018

design: x+living

chief designer: li xiang

project directors: ren lijiao, wu feng

participating designers: qian huilan, chen xue, luo ziyan, fan qi, liu ruqin, jiang xueping

customized furniture: xiangcasa

xiangcasa directors: justin chew, zheng minping

xiangcasa designers: yang huan, gao ling

photography: shao feng, zhou yuqiang, hu yijie

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: lynne myers | designboom