Design 2015-2016
Construction 2016-2017
1,600 sqm / 17,223 sqft
Written by: Mike Angangan
Designed for an avid collector of rare Tibetan Buddhist art, the 1600m2 office headquarters and gallery is housed in the commercial tower of the
recently completed Poly International Center by SOM on the shores of the Shanghai Pudong district. Situated on the 8th floor, the full floor office
provides sweeping panoramic views of the Huangpu River and the ever growing Shanghai skyline. From the beginning of the project, the design
team was tasked to provide a setting that was contemporary yet casual in feel, reflecting the business face of the burgeoning financial services
company founded by the client while tailoring a series of serene and tranquil gallery spaces to display the client’s growing art collection. As the
majority of the current collection is comprised of exquisite artifacts of small scaled gilded bronze, copper, and gold figures, the design challenge
was to produce a carefully illuminated and scaled series of spaces with custom designed showcases that were spatial in nature yet minimally
articulated, highlighting and featuring the art without overpowering the space. Other amenities include a reception hall, trading rooms, conference
rooms, and a special tea room and Buddha hall/altar.