DENSE&LIGHT Office located on the top floor of a commercial building adjacent to the Qiantang River. The owner expects the space to serve as both an office and a showroom. DENSE&LIGHT has devoted to researching woven fabrics for over 20 years, aiming to consolidate the brand’s distinct woven art into space fabric, imagining a Woven Theatre.
The space spans the north and south sides of the building, with an entrance positioned at the centre, separating the site into distinct functional zones. The north side serves as basic office space while the south side dedicated to showcasing fabric samples and ready-to-wear collections. Thousands of hand-crafted ceramic tiles are stacked and interlocked to mimic the woven texture. The surface guides visitors inward, the reception area functions as the foyer of the entire space, like the prologue of a theatre delineating the ‘on stage’and‘backstage’of office functions.
Upon entering the main showroom, a matte-textured arched opening impersonates a swept drape, dividing the theatre into five sequential scenes. As the spatial layers unfold, they create a sense of ritual around presentation of fabrics and collections. The semi-translucent arches remain open, allowing natural light to permeate the interior. A brick-red carpet contrasts with the soft translucency of partition walls, creating a dynamic balance between intensity and subtlety. A wave-shaped wood clothing rod draws attention to detail, adding a sense of warmth to the space.
‘Backstage’office area provides infrastructures for basic needs. The chosen wall panels of the meeting room, live room and conference room resonate with the brand’s core language. Circular layout enhances the flow efficiency and makes an emphasis on the‘On and Off Stage’ spatial relationship of the Woven Theatre.
The theatre-alike design adds narrative to the product showcasing, the stack and interlock ceramic tile art at the entrance articulates the space and brand’s essence. Through the process of functional divergent and display cultivation, say established the stage for a woven drama between fabric and space — await its opening act.
Team:
Client: DENSE&LIGHT
Design Company: say architects
Lead Designers: Zhang Yan, Shan Jianan
Team: Yang Yixin (Project Manager), Du Yunzhen, Xu Xianggao
Photography: Wang Minjie
Lighting Consultation: Hangzhou Light Track Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Construction Team: Shanghai Zhonggeng Decoration Design Co., Ltd.
Materials Used:
UISPAIR, ziinlife, Space101, For D. Casa
