SHH recently completed the new top floor headquarters for KWG Group holdings, in Shanghai, China. The 32,500 sq ft project unfolds over levels 19 and 20.
The twenty-story building that hosts KWG's new headquarters is in an office campus just west of the city center of Shanghai. The premises have been designed by SHH to be client-focused, making a strong first impression, while reflecting the quality of KWG's existing offices in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Visitors arrive at level 19 to a large reception area which contains a feature brass wall, and an eight-meter high brass and glass display case to showcase KWG's development projects. This extends up through a new staircase which leads to the second reception area on floor 20.
The office space on level 19 provides a boardroom and two secondary meeting rooms boasting views over the Huangpu River. A number of cellular offices for senior staff are located around the perimeter of the floor with uninterrupted river views. A more casual creative hub for design staff featuring a sample library, a workshop and various employee working areas are found on the same level. Further along, an internal breakout space is screened from an area of workstations by a perforated brass wall that creates privacy and separation whilst still allowing natural daylight to enter the space.
Level 19 is largely dedicated to executive facilities including VIP offices and suites for the company CEO and President. It also accommodates smaller areas of general workspace, a secondary reception and lounge, along with an additional breakout area.
The design is sophisticated and welcoming throughout with neutral tones and soft shapes and curves. The materials palette includes timber, stone, leather, fabrics, laminate glass, mesh and brass highlights. Colour is introduced through the furniture and rugs creating a hotel-like feel in the VIP spaces. Walkways are broken up with integrated lights and planting, which also bring the outside in.
"KWG Group Holdings engaged us following our work with them on a number of office and residential development projects in Guangzhou and Hong Kong; to provide them with a new headquarters building befitting a growing, high-quality business that has a strong ethos that puts design and its clients at the heart of its work," said Brendan Heath, associate director at SHH.
Photography: Shoucheng Liang