Designer Lin Jiacheng – who is affectionately known as ‘Panda Daddy’ – has recently created the Panda office for his team in Xiamen, China. What marks the culmination of his past 10 years’ work, and also a new starting point, the space has been conceived to provide a refreshing environment for workers. The realized project focuses on efficient collaboration, clever storage solutions and a graceful curve that sinuously connects the entire office.

The additional functions, such as toilets and staff kitchen, are positioned to one side of the floor plan, allowing the office space to take center stage. For this large work area, an extensive curved desk is designed by Jiacheng to flow through the room. This design element works to divide the space into different dimensions, breaking up the rigid pattern of a typical work environment.

An s-shaped chandelier is suspended over the work areas and is made from 108 led lights. This element follows the path of the office tables and also functions to divide the space. The office tables are made of ultrathin steel plate and supported by semi-circular piers, easily delineating different work spaces. The curved tables also intend to facilitate interaction and communication between colleagues, following the panda design ethos of: ‘design is not about a person. It’s about a whole team.’

For the design, Jiacheng also focuses on creating a clean, minimal space. To achieve this, storage is hidden within two large cabinets, one finished in white and one is timber. This application of wood brings an element of warmth into the space, while the dotted texture on the cabinet doors provide a textured element. Overall, the new panda design office intends to represent the philosophy of the studio, which is based around a ‘cooperative partnership’. In order to create successful designs, the working environment must also facilitate the smooth cohesion of each member.