NIO House, Inspired by the iconic logo

At its manufacturing base, the leading EV car manufacturer NIO aims to create a new flagship store to showcase the NIO way of life, its advanced manufacturing prowess, and its commitment to sustainable living.

Inspired by NIO's iconic logo, the space artfully deconstructs the logo and integrates the vehicle's streamlined contours into the design.

This circular pavilion merges 'front stage' customer experience with 'backstage' manufacturing process. Beyond offering close-up views, test drives, new car pickups, and opportunities for socializing and shopping, visitors are afforded a rare glimpse into the manufacturing processes via a bridge to the production workshop.

Constructed to LEED Gold and WELL Platinum standards, NIO House Hefei has achieved a comprehensive cycle of carbon reduction.

• This NIO House situated at its manufacturing base, serves as the campus' crown jewel. Its distinctive circular, open design sets it apart from the neighboring rectangular factories, yet its scale ensures a harmonious blend with the adjacent architecture.
• The building's neat appearance—featuring a double-layered skin of glass and stainless steel—creates a transparent facade that seamlessly merges indoor and outdoor spaces. This allows people to experience the building's openness and lightness throughout.
• The artificial ponds encircle the building, captivating passersby. The waters reflect the surrounding dynamism, capturing the natural transitions. These water elements establish a seamless bond between the structure and nature, imbuing the architecture with a sense of purity and warmth.

• Constructed to LEED Gold and WELL Platinum standards, the building operates on a self-sufficient, carbon-neutral model, thanks to a rooftop solar array that includes nearby factory roofs and parking structures. The passive solar design and shading devices efficiently filter out radiant heat and soften the light.
• It boasts a reduced carbon footprint by utilizing over 90% stainless steel instead of aluminum. The team thoughtfully planned the transportation logistics with contractors to minimize the carbon footprint of material transport. The core walls are clad in 100% biodegradable cork, which is 100% ecological, reusable, and recyclable.
• Biophilic design principles are brought to life amidst lush greenery and abundant natural light, endowing the space with an energetic and dynamic vibe.

• Reflecting NIO's Vision: The space artfully deconstructs NIO's logo with architectural language. Its distinctive circular shape sets it apart from the conventional square forms of surrounding factories, making a statement and highlighting NIO's innovative brand identity.
• Joyful and Holistic Experience: The flagship venue delivers a unique and all-encompassing experience. Visitors can closely interact with vehicles, including close-up inspections, test drives, and new car pickups. Beyond vehicle engagement, the space invites socializing and shopping, enriching the visitor's experience. Additionally, a bridge to the production workshop offers an insight into manufacturing processes.
• Net Zero Carbon Operation: NIO House Hefei effectively utilizes a photovoltaic power generation system on its roof to offset carbon emissions from energy consumption thus achieving carbon neutral operation.
• Sustainable Construction: Built to "LEED Gold" standards, the open first floor brings natural light indoors, where passive solar design and shading devices filter out the sun’s radiated heat, ensuring that the interior space does not suffer glaring light or become overly heated.
• Health and Wellbeing Focus: Constructed to Well Platinum standards, the use of indoor greenery creates a healthy, comfortable, and pleasant atmosphere for visitors. The building features a double-layer transparent facade that merges indoor and outdoor spaces, promoting an open and airy feel that enhances wellbeing.

William Li Bin, CEO and Founder of NIO, “NIO Houses create a lifestyle community where users share joy and grow together, and NIO House Hefei is a typical example. Moreover, the architecture itself is already a great showcase of NIO's commitment in low-carbon development.” D.B. Kim, Associate VP of NIO, “Following our beautiful cars, our simple design philosophy, which is Pure, Human, Progressive and Sophisticated. Our users, our community, can come together and experience those four messages."

Credits

Città: Hefei
Stato: 中国
Cliente: NIO Inc.
Destinazione d'uso: User Center, Delivery Center, Gallery
Data Completamento:  08/2023
Superficie Lorda: 4000 mq
Costo: Confidential
Architetti: Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Design Team: Chris Hardie, Zhigang Huang, Mai Zhang, Thomas Saerkjaer, Sebastian Correa, Xiao Sun, Kejin Kuang, Barteck Winnicki, Shuo Jiang, Bozhena Hoida, Qi Zhao

Curriculum

Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) was founded in Aarhus, Denmark in 1986. The firm is one of Scandinavia’s most recognized and award-winning architectural practices. Working out of studios located in Copenhagen and Shanghai, the firm provides skilled architectural services all over the world, with a distinguished track record as designers of international, high-profile architecture. Cultural and educational buildings, offices, commercial, retail, and residential buildings, often in mixed-use developments and complex urban contexts, are cornerstones of the firm’s output. The practice has extensive global experience in the design of libraries and other public and cultural landmark buildings—including Shanghai East Library in Shanghai, China; Dokk1 in Aarhus, Denmark; and the Halifax Central Library in Halifax, Canada. SHL’s innovative, sustainable, and democratic approach to architecture has attracted global attention, winning more than 100 national and international awards.