Designed by DYN Architecture, this fashion related co-working space located on Maotai Road, Changning District in Shanghai is a hidden gem in the headquarters of Shanghai Garment Group (SGG).

In collaboration with SGG and Creater, the existing SGG building is transformed from a single-use office building to a modern co-working space mixed with retail, showroom and office. The Space Slice project aims to encourage interactions between different fashion departments and to revitalise existing space. Thus a four-floor co-working space with fashion-related functions is inserted in the building.

The existing SGG building is supported by a number of wide concrete columns (800mm*400mm). How to use these densely placed columns to create a clean and continuous space became the main challenge for architects.

But the disadvantage would be an advantage. “Why not take the dimension of these columns to create something new?” The architect Yinian Dou came up with the idea of “slicing the space”: linking wide columns to form thick walls to divide space. Opening up some walls and letting the space flow through create the spatial depth desired.

 

Corresponding with the design of thick walls, a unique floor pattern of smooth concrete patches and small-size mosaics is also a creation by the architect: mosaics record the shadow of thick walls, and triangular concrete patches depict the openings.

On the ground floor can be found the reception: a customised white spiral stair is the central element brightening up the entrance space. Around the reception are set up stores, cafe, exhibition space, and bookstore. Following the spiral stair up, people arrive at the show space where fashion shows could be held regularly. Show-related functions, such as showrooms, fabric storage, meeting space and offices are in close proximity to each other. More offices are provided on the second and third floors.

Despite the fact that the black and grey colours have been used for most of the co-working spaces in China, Space Slide project chose the opposite: white. Elegant and unsophisticated, white emphasises the purity of space.

Writer: Dan Li