The Tianjin Coral Sea Life Plaza Showroom is Designed in a Rectangular Architectural Form

The Tianjin Coral Sea Life Plaza Showroom is a sales centre that will be used to showcase the Coral Sea Shopping Plaza. With an area of 100,000m², the plaza comprises a three-storey structure with a two-storey basement car park. Designed in a rectangular architectural form with a central courtyard, the completed design will include a variety of fashion stores, restaurants, a fitness centre and a supermarket. As the project is close to the sea, the design adopts an ocean theme.

Located inside the plaza, the showroom will become a hub for those who want to see the design of the plaza from conception to completion. Divided across two floors, the client’s brief included a reception area with a beautiful model display of the plaza, a lounge and VIP meeting room, a pantry and an internal office.

The exhibition zone located on the first floor is 100m² and includes a reception counter and large TV. This will serve as the welcoming area for visitors, introducing them to the shopping plaza development. The staircase leading up to the second floor is decked out in various exhibition boards to give guests a clear idea of what the shopping plaza will look like. They can then proceed to another space for a virtual tour, before seeking refuge in the lounge area

where they can sit back, relax and enjoy coffee and other beverages. A support office with five workstations was also included. The transition from one zone to another creates an important spatial experience.

The Tianjin Coral Sea Life Plaza Showroom was also tasked with coming up with a design for ABB, one of the most avant-garde energy saving technology companies in the world that has extended its footprint in China in the past several decades. The ABB office in Shanghai had been expanded several times following the rapid growth of the business in the eastern province of China.

Thinking outside the box, the company was determined to adopt a new working model in office design to project a forward- looking corporate image to its customers. In the past ABB had an L-shaped configuration with screen blocks that resulted in a lack of communication between colleagues.

The brief was therefore to accommodate around 140 workplaces for over 250-staff with ancillary functions like a reception area, meeting room, phone booths, pantry and a store room. Located in the class A office tower in Shanghai, the ABB office has outstanding views of the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows were requested to make the most of this feature. The lobby is fully furnished with high- quality marble and lighting and, as it is the first point of contact, the area features a bright ABB logo to add visual impact.

Adding to the modern, chic and timeless design are shared facilities including a pantry, meeting rooms and phone booths scattered around the office.