Image courtesy of MAD Architects

Xinhee Design Center by MAD Architects

MAD architects design for the Xinhee Design Center is currently under construction in Xiamen, a port city on China’s southeast coast. The complex is organized around a central atrium, with six long spanning structures extending out from the central core. Consequently, the building forms a star-shaped layout, which formalizes a solid structural frame.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects

The design mimics a series of petals, growing from a central point. each of the six brands has its own individual office and research space, yet is able to interact and communicate with other departments. Unlike traditional corporate ‘boxes’, the radial layout enables the office space to be both efficient and flexible. Open to staff and visitors, the central atrium serves as communal space. Here, a footbridge provides air circulation, and doubles as a catwalk for occasional fashion shows. A constant connection between internal and external space extends the design center’s public interaction from the office space to the outside gardens.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects

Intended to be as efficient as possible, the Design Center adapts to the local
climate. The lifted nature of the structure reduces the building’s footprint by two-
thirds, while the first floor mainly consists of garden and water features, which are
open to the public. During summer months, cool air reaches each level of the
scheme, while in winter, the atrium transforms into a sun-filled greenhouse beneath
the glass roof. To lower solar radiation and provide natural lighting to the office, a translucent coating is applied to the building’s facade, which permits 40% light transmittance. In addition, the roof is topped with solar panels, providing electricity for daily operations.

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