JAXDA and Spacemen have designed the new offices of advertising agency BBDO, located in Shanghai, China. Continuing BBDO’s design initiatives from their head office, JAXDA and Spacemen highlighted BBDO Live’s new workplace with spaces that evoke the rugged industrial edginess and sleek refinement of all things ‘Automotive’ which is the very essence of the clients under this branch of the global agency. The result was an unexpected unity of raw materials, patterns and colours into a perfect blend of creative spaces that encapsulates BBDO Live’s role in the industry.

We made expressive use of reclaimed timber and metal, the two key materiality used throughout the office, on walls, floor, ceiling and furniture to give a depiction of the space that extracted all its elements from a car yard. Random patterns of reclaimed black metal strips and circular pipes wrap the reception area wall. Where the metals are aligned very precisely into a complex yet rigid algorithm like the sleek piping systems of a car, the timber on the other hand gives the space a pulsating and movement like pattern as it randomly fills the ceiling moving from the entrance all around to the open bar area.

More pattern play continues as a deconstructed engine has its parts powder coated in matte white and then carefully curated into a glowing installation. A combination of multi color toned pvc carpets strips were then used to create a continuation of the moving timber flooring pattern that were both integrated seamlessly together. More colors and playful patterns can be found at the bar area with quirky tile patterns.

Throughout this open plan design, every corner and space encourages constant communication. Every form of collaboration is represented from casual lounges, free standing discussion counters, to the aptly named ‘Panic Rooms’’ and ’War Stations’. No one is ever far from a comfortable discussion area to pull the team together.

Design: JAXDA and Spacemen
Photography: Tommy Zhu

https://officesnapshots.com/2017/06/06/bbdo-offices-shanghai/