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NONG STUDIO Design Lab

NONG STUDIO Design Lab
Hei Nong

NONG STUDIO Design Lab

When delving into the origins, old Shanghainese often first think of the Suzhou River. The industrial structures along its banks have witnessed the rise and fall of concessions and the birth and development of national industry. Located at 1247 South Suzhou Road, it was once the private granary of Du Yuesheng, later becoming a crucial bank warehouse with the establishment of the China Commercial Bank by Du Yuesheng.

photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong

In the design process, the entrance area is transformed into a gallery space, deliberately lowering the ceiling height. Beyond, a sudden openness reveals a bright and spacious open office area with a 4.5-meter high ceiling. Preserving and exposing the century-old original wooden beams, columns, and floors is an encounter with history, meticulously protected and reinforced. The mezzanine functions as meeting rooms and material storage, maximizing space utilization. From entrance to interior, the rhythm of the space unfolds in a sequence of containment, release, and containment. Material-wise, in addition to preserving the century-old wooden structures, modern materials such as brass, glass, marble, and stainless steel are employed, allowing history and modernity to engage in a dialogue within the space.

photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong

Respecting history, both the facade and interior space are restored, merging the past with the present to create new artistic vitality, adorning this long-awaited "elder" with elegance and rejuvenation.

photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong

The centuries structure of wooden beam and floor stands two stories high that references building’s history as a granary. They are carefully protected with reinforcement.

photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong

The entrance swings to reveal a two-stories high space beyond. Guests experience an extreme contrast: a mysterious art space segue into a bigger and brighter spaciousness.

The entire space is dominated by several floor-to-ceiling shelving units in black and red, illuminated to highlight installations of books and art piece collections.

photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
photo_credit Hei Nong
Hei Nong
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