Woods Bagot’s own Beijing studio is a flexible design space that promotes Activity Based Working, tailored to match the unique diversity of tasks required in a multi-disciplined design studio.

The initial brief was to assign a workplace that would sit as one of the key hubs in Woods Bagot's global design studio. It integrates a high level of technology to allow staff to work and play anywhere, anytime - a new workstyle that we have incorporated by offering flexibility and promoting collaboration between teams (Real Time Working).

The site, a converted old apartment building within Beijing’s vibrant and design savvy Sanlitun Village, provided the team with an opportunity to create a dynamic and modern new ‘Design House’ for staff. The utilitarian nature of the simple four storey apartment has been retained through concrete floors and walls and a raw timber trussed ceiling, juxtaposed against the sleek and transparent architecture of the entrance lobby and pop out balcony boxes.

The approach is sustainable and sensitive with a limited palette of materials to embellish the existing finishes. Recycled timber, vibrant fabrics and rugs have been overlaid to add warmth and a domestic feel with layers of pinnable and writable surfaces added to enliven the space and allow teams to clearly express projects that they are working on.