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Kokaistudios has worked to adapt and renovate Beijing Poly Plaza by opening them up, expanding their core functionality, and incorporating entirely new work and public space elements via a series of precise internal carvings.
The site comprises two large existing buildings characterised by deep and expansive floor plates. An assessment was carried out to determine the optimal locations and proportions for a sequence of punctual demolitions through the core of each structure that form a series of light wells and bring natural illumination to the wider volumes. The design articulates each building as four smaller clustered structures within two large frames.
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To house the revitalised internal identity, the outer facade of each structure has also been modified. Serving to create a colour coding system that represents the multi-functionality within, this new exterior with its emphasised passages and openings also works to connect these structures to the neighbouring residential and office complexes.
Likewise, the landscaped areas surrounding Poly Plaza now feature a punctuation of public squares and green communal spaces intended for both casual recreational purposes and as places to host pop-up events and arts initiatives. Through a mixture of hardscape and softscape sections, these pedestrianised components form a social heart for users to linger.
Kokaistudios’ renovation of Poly Plaza opts for a more organic and humane complex of integrated horizontal modules, ensuring that the project suitably resonates with the surrounding area whilst ushering in a new chapter of both form and functionality.
Extracted from the roof downwards, these negative spaces open up the previously enclosed interior whilst simultaneously articulating each building as four smaller clustered structures within two large frames. These clusters were subsequently divided horizontally, introducing an upper layer of office blocks atop the foundation of existing retail space.
The resulting layout is defined by a pair of light-filled central atriums that support the surrounding retail and office units with vibrant and multi-layered public amenities. Topped by a pair of expansive and striking glass skylights that stretch across each structure before blending into the facade, these elegant additions provide a connective element between the neighbouring clusters, with each of the atriums hosting a dedicated co-working facility.
To distinguish the offices of the upper levels from the commercial podiums below, Kokaistudios implemented two distinct visual styles and material palettes to specify the differing functionalities. The office spaces are typified by sharp geometric volumes and angular fixtures. The retail elements, meanwhile, have been designed as fluid settings defined by flowing, rounded forms and softened materials.
Where the majority of Beijing’s recent office stock has looked to vertical architectural solutions, Kokaistudios’ renovation of Poly Plaza instead opts for a more organic and humane complex of integrated horizontal modules. Seeking to bring the outside in, both in terms of the user demographic and the surrounding environment, the use of intelligent internal carvings that maximise light whilst minimising waste sees negative space produce positive, organic results, ensuring that the project suitab
Kokaistudios is an award winning architecture and interior design firm founded in 2000 in Venice by Italian architects Filippo Gabbiani & Andrea Destefanis. Headquartered in Shanghai since 2002 we have grown into multi-cultural firm of 60 people working on a global scale with projects in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Kokaistudios partners with our clients to collaboratively develop innovative & ground breaking projects in diverse fields of design. Primarily focused on developing cultural, corporate, commercial, hospitality & retail projects we have also worked extensively on urban regeneration projects involving the requalification of heritage locations. Kokaistudios aims to develop projects that add positively to the built environment and social fabric of the cities and countries in which they are located.
