
Yanfei Architects Office
The project is located in an industrial park that was formerly the Shanghai United Aerosol Can Factory. We were also involved in the early-stage planning of the park, which sets itself apart from traditional office park developments by adopting a gradual transition approach. The core idea is to offer tenants the possibility of expanding their space with specific renovations while maintaining the original building's structural integrity. This results in long-term office spaces. This unique lease model is designed to last for 20-25 years. After testing, we found that the building requires substantial structural reinforcement. During the renovation process, we adopted an embedded strategy to retain as much of the original structure as possible.
As the first organization to settle in the park, we established a working model that integrates public elements. The first floor of our studio is a semi-outdoor model workshop, restaurant, coffee shop, and other public spaces that are open to future neighbors in the park. The second floor houses independent, climate-controlled office and research spaces, providing a relatively stable environment. The focus of the office design is to inspire creativity and productivity in a simple, unpretentious way. We view the office space as one large room, carefully considering functionality. Movable desks and fixed charging stations allow flexibility as project teams change over time.
The economy is also a key consideration in the construction phase. The newly built sections integrate insulation with the initial construction, eliminating the need for secondary renovations. We experimented with various materials, sourcing ETFE windows, waterproof insulation membranes, shading films, and more through long-term supplier partnerships.