Kokaistudios

Beijing Poly Plaza

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

Beijing Poly Plaza

Kokaistudios

ARCHITECTS
Kokaistudios

CLIENTS
Poly (Beijing) Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN DIRECTOR
Pietro Peyron

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Andrea Destefanis, Filippo Gabbiani

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN TEAM
Chang Liu, Jingning Ji, Min Cheng, Shuxian Peng, Fei Zheng, Andrea Antonucci, Tian Lu, Wenye Zhu, Yong Zheng, Lang Wang, Pedro Miguel, Ian Hsu

INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM
Rake Wang

INTERIOR DESIGN DIRECTOR
uzy Zhang, Chang Qing, Alex Jiang, Federico Nie, Ellen Cui, Alba Wang

PHOTOGRAPHS
RAWVISION studio

AREA
119924 m²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Beijing, China

CATEGORY
Office Buildings, Renovation, Commercial Architecture

As the city of Beijing has expanded, buildings constructed decades ago are no longer fit for purpose.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

To properly resonate with the recent wave of residential and office buildings that have risen around Beijing Poly Plaza, Kokaistudios has worked to adapt and renovate these structures 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 characterized by deep and expansive floor plates.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

To begin, 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 forms a series of light wells and brings natural illumination to the wider volumes.

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.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

These clusters were subsequently divided horizontally, introducing an upper layer of office blocks atop the foundation of existing retail space, and instilling a sense of flexible adaptability within each portion that affords a wide variety of tenancy possibilities.

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.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

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 neighboring clusters.

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.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

The office spaces are typified by sharp geometric volumes and angular fixtures, generating a sleek framework of versatile open-plan communal segments along with private meeting spaces.

The retail elements, meanwhile, have been designed as fluid settings defined by flowing, rounded forms and softened materials.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio

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 maximize light whilst minimizing waste sees negative space produce positive, organic results, ensuring that the project suitably resonates with the surrounding area whilst ushering in a new chapter of both form and functionality.

Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio


Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio


Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio
Beijing Poly Plaza
© RAWVISION studio


Beijing Poly Plaza
Section
Beijing Poly Plaza
South Elevation


Beijing Poly Plaza
Plan - 1st floor
Beijing Poly Plaza
Plan - 2nd floor
Beijing Poly Plaza
Plan - Roof

Kokaistudios
T +86 21 64730937 F +86 21 64731037
Kokaistudios
3/F, Building 3, No.600 North Shaanxi Road, Shanghai, China 200041 中国上海静安区陕西北路600号3号楼3楼