Asap/adam sokol architecture practice

A project that takes advantage of immersive urban views while also conveying a sense of the significance and dynamism of the client's work and the tremendous joy and enthusiasm that is so characteristic of this company. We were asked to create a fairly typical office fit out for a prominent venture capital firm in Beijing. Slightly unusual were the very significant number of conference rooms of all sizes requested, as well as the "XL" room with seating for up to 100. Given the U-shaped space we had to work with it was clear that the challenge would be to avoid interminable and dull corridors. Further, with the firm known for its investments not only in tech startups but also in visionary new consumer products, the space needed to refle... More

​The Bazaar was an innovative concept for a destination local food market, featuring an array of local micro-restaurants, as well as craft merchandise and fresh produce. Expanding on the idea of a “bazaar” as an architectural typology with a long history and tradition, the concept inherited the idea of repetitive domes as an organizational structure, within which vendors would have individual kiosks. The morphology of the domes modulated throughout the site, resulting in subtly varying sky lighting and elevations. The long arching elevation faces south to a parking lot, making it visible to the street and also creating a relationship allowing for indoor-outdoor uses such as a periodic farmers market. Caption Caption... More

Beginning with the owner’s stated preference for a home with abundant natural light, the name of this project was adapted from that of a famous Beijing garden. The idea of “perfect brightness” was explored architecturally: beginning with research into the psychological effects of different qualities and colors of daylight, a system was developed whereby ambient lighting could change from warm to cool white, depending on the season, time of day, and outdoor lighting conditions. The light is “concentrated” at the center in two twisting, shell-shaped feature walls, drawing visitors in from the entry.​ Caption Caption Caption Caption Caption   Further, working from the owner’s... More

  Situated in Beijing’s tallest residential structure, the X-House is a showcase business and residential space for a prominent international entrepreneur. Designed to accommodate business meetings, banquets, guests, and other functions, the space features a 1000-bottle wine cellar, tasting room, and spa bathrooms. The design is based on a system of Bézier curves, giving each space a unique and distinctive quality, creating a completely unexpected experience high above the streets of Beijing. Collectively, the spaces act as a network of domes, almost like a cave, creating opportunities for views, privacy, exploration and surprise. Jonathan Leijonhufvud Jonathan Leijonhufvud The spaces are interconnected in a c... More