EXH Planning Architecture Interior

Mid of the local Japanese residential area in Kyoto, west side of the Royal palace (30 mins walking distance, 10 mins by bike), EXH design has completed a private house together with Anoffice. The developer has splitted a plot into four slices each 4.2 meters by 15 meters. The client got the last piece at the west side which enjoys a grand view to the neat neighborhood and west sunlight.
The volume of the building is a result of Kyoto building law -the setback should meet a certain angle for pedestrian to look into the sky.
To "merge" better with the neighbors and stay invisible in the residential area, the building uses exactly the same material like the other houses except the big windows to invite the sunlight and view in. Since in Japan most of the residences have their windows closed, it's rather exciting to watch the street scene while sitting inside the house, the house is wrapped by a life movie which is happening everyday.
The first floor is a studio , while the second and third floor is a duplex as the main living area with separate entrance in the back. As a prefabricated wood house the structure can be exposed as much as possible inside except the roof and outside wall for fire proof reasons; the same wood panels are used in kitchen cabinet and floor.
All windows are to connect the house more with the outdoor space, although it's public; and organized according to the views which selected by the owner and designers. Open the window in the first floor sit at the edge , and look to the mini garden is inspired by the Japanese garden. The second and third floor makes the street space a private show. Curtains play a role in dividing space and defining privacy.
The construction experience in Japan is quite pleasant comparing in China. We told constructor to expose the wood panels without further treatment, they sent us then photos about their selected panels to confirm which is very impressive.

We want to maximize the natural areas. Use the beauty and ways of the untamed nature, so as the forests in the skirts of the mountains expand their outreaches; We propose a undulating treed that will create great views from the interior of the buildings as well as a buffer to divide the factory from the office area.

This “green flood” will gradually reduce its density and height to adjust to each specific fuction of the master plan so in some specific points it will provide the perfect shade for example, or will become a privacy bush. In some other areas it will thoroughly follow the geometrical rules to produce a strong corporate image.

The site is located in Nanjing Jiang Ning economical & high tech park. The total floor area is about 293,000 square meters, with a main road to the city, economical & high tech park to the South and other enterprises and factories to the North. The site is very big, from North-East to South-West; the shape is very long, 800m by 500m.

Based on sunlight analysis, the South-East part of the site is much more attractive compared to the North-West part. Because the southeast part has a great view and sufficient sunlight, this part is situated at the upwind position. Therefore, we allocate the site into two parts, factory and the area before factory, both along with the long side.

We embrace the initial spirit of the pharmaceutical industry – to enhance quality of life. Therefore, we want to create a green, natural, human friendly environment for all employees and guests. In this way, the building will be distinguished from its neighbours, within the surrounding banal and industrial district.

We believe that what makes this project special is that the parking lot will only serve for a limited period of time before the future expansion of the Novartis Campus in Shanghai. Therefore, we aim to make the most of the existing site and make efforts to reduce overall costs. For example, the concrete land in the middle of the site has been incorporated into the design. We have also decided to use the existing entrance/exit on site.

This interesting time constraint should however not sacrifice design quality. We have paved the whole pedestrian path with user-friendly concrete which is different from the gravel covered surface of the parking area. Carefully designed and aesthetically pleasing handrails have integrated LED lamps to light up the site and give clear guidance to users.

In general, we are confident that even with a limited budget, the design here is still full of innovation and carefully thought out.

WXH Art Museum is renovated from “Ding Zhai” project located on Ping Jiang Road in Suzhou Ancient town. We maintained the original Ming dynasty building style and incorporate modern design into the WXH Art Museum.
In this ancient architecture, there are a lot of Art works and Photography works. We built glass skylight in the courtyard, supported by steel structure. The sunshine flows through roof, and the courtyard becomes an interior space with great sunlight where Museum present Art works. It is a highlight that glass skylight and ground creates an exhibition center. To echo with the glass skylight on top, we lift the courtyard’s bottom and pave the floor with glass.
Art Museum is divided into four individual exhibition rooms by the vertical depth. The two exhibition rooms in the middle merged into one big exhibition hall, linked with each other by the glass skylight and ground. To create an exhibition space with fluorescence feeling, we used light box with illumination apparatus. Independent fixed box conceal the columns, so that visitors can enjoy a good first impression of the whole exhibition hall and the exhibits can be replaced easily.
Spacious courtyard gives a feeling of vertical depth, the open and flowing space integrated Suzhou traditional Garden spirit. The classical gardens of Suzhou are a compound of residence and garden. People can appreciate it, play with it and live in it. The inner courtyard is an art exhibition space for visitors where people can enjoy the beauty of artistic conception from the art works and nature.

The project base in the suburbs. Lush plant with base, forming a natural indistinct mountain trail, have a relaxing, quiet, open, natural environment. The project to the growth, harmony with nature, static explicit peace.
preserve the trees and environment on site as much as possible
architecture blends into the environment; let the artificial and natural elements be themselves; use simple materials:concrete, wood, and steel.

In August 2013, EXH Design won the Nanjing CTTQ master plan and architectural design competition. Nanjing CTTQ is a leading pharmaceutical company in China. For its growing business, the company has decided to create a bigger, newer and more forward thinking campus in Nanjing economical and high tech. park. The site is 65,000sq.m. in a long rectangular shape (168m x 418m) along a main traffic road to the North.
Our solution was to study the site condition to create the right strategy through evaluation. In this way, we identified advantages and disadvantages; solving problems whilst maximising the possibilities of the site. Based on sunlight analysis, the Southern part of the site has the best qualities; with sunlight and a view down through the site. The Northern part of the site has lesser qualities and is also next to traffic and noise, so that it assures the site can enjoy the maximum sunlight and minimise shadows case.
We embrace the initial spirit of the pharmaceutical industry - to enhance quality of life. Therefore, EXH Design proposed a green, natural and human environment for employees and guests. Like a 'public park' a pleasant and natural working environment is created; with enough sunlight, air, greenery and maximised and views for each building. Buildings are located to the North in order to minimise shadows case on site. The architecture of master plan buildings distinguish the site from its neighbors and the surrounding banal and industrial district.

Architectural massing is organised by a strong hierarchy, based on importance and presence, from big to small, Administration, R&D, Training Centre and Facilities accordingly. Architectural massing of the master plan is focused towards the centre of the site with the Administration and Training Centre buildings elevated above the ground floor platform to create a strong company presence.

According to a strong vertical concept, all shared and communal areas are located on the ground floor. These areas, such as lobbies, cafeterias, shops and exhibitions are merged into one big open space with glass facades opening out into the landscape. These spaces are light and enjoy a panoramic park view whilst also serving as entrance and reception for all buildings like an airport hub! Buildings with tighter security requirements are solid blocks above this platform.

Nanjing Fullshare Restaurant is located in Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.

The Client wanted to keep Min-Qing Style Building and renovate the interior into a modern and fashionable space, so that clients and partners can relax, have dinner or drink tea in this environmentally friendly place.

We tore down the existing handrail and platform outside, and built a winter garden in order to incorporate the space into the natural surroundings while enjoying the comfortable interior space. The dining area connects to the outside landscape, people can drink tea, play cards and have afternoon tea. All activities bathe in the sunlight.

To lift ceiling of the dining area, we used a wooden grid system to create a pinnacle. Sunlight falls through the grid, not only inducing a mild and cozy feeling, but also decreasing the sense of oppression. From the winter garden to dining and service areas, light and shade cascade the various materials. Beige natural stone compliment the rustic brick, the primitive ebony and contemporary white walls. A Mix and match of multiple materials make the traditional style and tone of the buildings origin, integrate with a more modern design philosophy.

Top apartment is located in Nanjing Jianye District, we transformed the original fully furnished room with dull layout and lack of sunlight.
After the demolition of all the original walls, we use the most environmentally friendly materials, to create a new healthy living space.
Based on the concept of light shooting through the clouds, we defined space by massive ceiling while hiding the original beam body to the most. Lights and air conditioning vents are concealed in the gap between the body mass, making the ceiling whole and clean.
After re-planning, the space is divided into public area, work area, service area, master area and children's area. Each area is specially designed according to different functions, each node is all designed perfectly to meet the integration of function and design style, so there is no excessive component. In the kitchen we combined Chinese style and Western style. By combining the use of swing and sliding doors that open and close, the kitchen is able to be an open space and a closed space. All kitchen equipment is inlaid and joints connected perfectly.
In the middle of the living room and the dining room, we designed a rotating TV lift systems, so users can watch TV at different angles during dining or leisure time. When absent-home mode is activated, the TV will automatically fall into the cabinet and shut down to prevent dust on screen.
In the master area, we use light partition and sliding doors on both sides to separate bedroom and bathroom. After the walls are inlaid the black glass TV equipment on both sides so that the user can watch TV program when taking a rest or bathing foot. And in such a precise design, we still did not forget to add a little creativity to make design more interesting. For examples, wavy wood blocks in kitchen cutlery drawer; a bamboo box placed on the guest bathroom basin with towels and skincare products; charging slot for the Apple device on the table in study; leather handrail on bench in small children's room; the copper bars inlaid on bathroom walls and so on.

Matus office is located along a deep alley of Shanghai's French Concessions. It is a conversion of a three-story building originally constructed in the 1980's. The neighborhood is surrounded by a jumble of buildings and the west of the site is above the buildings base by one meter. This project not only functions as a flexible working environment for MATSU but also an exhibit for the possibilities of a modern office to inspire customers. Our strategy is to identify and intensify this sense of excitement.
The focus of the building's design is to create a very modern and graceful office which contrasts the dilapidation of the neighborhood whilst retaining a harmony in the juxtaposition. This duality is exactly the charm of Shanghai, the contemporary coexisting with the old and the symbiosis of the international and local. So therefore we retained fa?ade to maximize the contrast of the existing building with sharply designed new window as and doors.
In order to accommodate hundreds of salespeople working in a building of less than 400m?, we concentrated on keeping them mobile by removing a fixed seating arrangement. Each member of staff has a locked cabinet allowing them to change where they sit daily, tailoring the working environment to their current needs and braking the monotony of office life. Each floor is distinctly different in design . The ground level has a reception, meeting rooms, and can accommodate public events along with a connecting yard. The new glass conservatory space brings in plenty of light. Ambient lighting is hidden in ceiling junctions and the plan remains simple, allowing the space to comfortably accommodate many arrangements and uses. With floor to ceiling glazing the indoor space feels deceptively larger as the outdoor space connects. Second and third floors holds cabinets, small meeting rooms and WC's. The design of workplaces focuses on the variety of office communication; the collision of ideas, in depth discussion along with independent thinking. Each work station varies to meet the many ways we work; from drifting gazes on the outdoor scenery for inspiration to the ingenuity of the indoor environment harboring collaboration.

The site is located in Nanjing Jiang Ning economical & high tech park. The total floor area is about 293,000 square meters, with a main road to the city, economical & high tech park to the South and other enterprises and factories to the North. The site is very big, from North-East to South-West; the shape is very long, 800m by 500m.

Based on sunlight analysis, the South-East part of the site is much more attractive compared to the North-West part. Because the southeast part has a great view and sufficient sunlight, this part is situated at the upwind position. Therefore, we allocate the site into two parts, factory and the area before factory, both along with the long side.

We embrace the initial spirit of the pharmaceutical industry – to enhance quality of life. Therefore, we want to create a green, natural, human friendly environment for all employees and guests. In this way, the building will be distinguished from its neighbours, within the surrounding banal and industrial district.

C10 is an important building in the Novartis Biomedical Campus in Shanghai, China. Standard Architecture is responsible for design of the core and shell of this building and EXH was invited to do the Interior Design part. As a swiss company, Novartis is a client who always ask for the best design quality. EXH successfully coordinated with all parties including the clients, architects from Standard Architecture and Chiness suppliers and remained a good relationship with them during the whole process. Finally, our clients are very pleased with the work we presented that’s up to the Swiss quality they expected.

Matsu flagship store rented a 3 storey space in a high-rise residential in downtown Shanghai, it needs a fa?ade which can isolate the building from noise but invite the sun light; also the facade has to be removed after the expiry of rent; meanwhile the client wishes the building could stand out from the chaotic urban environment --- thus we have the idea of ?the Furniture store in ginkgo forest ?: the sun piercing through the aluminium ginkgo leaves creates an atmosphere of serenity. Ginkgo tree is one of the most valuable and elegant trees, which fits Matsu corporate vision in pursuit of quality. This concept runs through the exterior and interior as a clue: for example the leaves which cut down from the fa?ade are embedded in the cement floor after an acid treatment to create a scene of Fall.

The gingko concept runs through the exterior and interior as a clue: for example the leaves which cut down from the fa?ade are embedded in the cement floor after an acid treatment to create a scene of Fall.
The sunlight through the first layer of fa?ade; Double-layer vacuum glass as noise barrier and thermal.

This is an office interior with minimal design and maximum comfort. The waiting room is connected to the courtyard with the same bamboo material, and is surrounded by the secretary room, meeting room, and working rooms which are all in white. The material contrast expresses the definition of public and private space.

This canteen is proposed as a 2 storey building with large cantilevered terraces. The facades are mostly glazed and the transparency allows a generous view to the large green surroundings.

The first floor hosts in a long room the entrance for the guests, a small café/ dining area for fast food and lounge (with internet access). In front of these rooms is a covered terrace for outdoor seating. A large stair brings the guest up to the 2nd floor with the main dining area. The counters are organized as an island, allowing flexibility inside and clear guest flow outside without cross flow. The dining area of 500m2 has no columns. Furniture is flexible and may be removed easily. The room has the potential for multifunctional use. It is the largest on site and gives the possibility for events receiving over 500 guests. The terraces provide sun shading and may be used during spring and autumn for outdoor dining. The appearance of the building will relate well with the other existing and new buildings on site.

This two storey glass curtain wall building is a high-end canteen for Shanghai Roche. Simple in its design, functional in its use, and attentive in its material and craft, the canteen reflects the corporate culture of Roche. The interior design is able to accommodate different function requirements and various guest flows at different times of the day. A covered terrace surrounds the canteen on three sides, providing a space for outdoor dining and relaxation. Simultaneously, the terrace also serves as a shading device, eliminating the need for sun blinds which would block the views of the outside landscape.

Collaboration with FAKE design
A ripple concept for parents’ floor and a Zao-Jing concept for kids' floor - both concepts keep the room height as large as possible, provide maximum of comfort, while integrating the technical equipment to be completely invisible. Both apartments express magnificence and unique artistic space, and a free living style attitude.
Different from western painting, in Chinese traditional painting the artist proceeds with light touches only where necessary. The rest is left to blankness. These elements put together compose the concept of the painting. We were inspired by this traditional wisdom and treated the architectural space as a whole by doing only partial changes.
The interior space is divided into two levels: the 9th and 11th floors. Both apartments have a size of about 600 m2, but the clear height is only 3 meters. Both apartments express a magnificence and uniqueness of artistic space, and a free living style attitude.

11th Floor - Parents
The client has passion for art and lifestyle. The eleventh floor is planned for the couple and ninth floor for the three children. We were looking for a solution, which can convey art, idea, feelings to fit with all art works without standing out, and at the same time hold all functions without being merely pragmatic.
In eleventh floor the living room is a big open space over one hundred square meters with a minimum room height, even less with thick air ducts; the ceiling looks chaotic with different beams and columns. We integratetthe columns into functional rooms to make the space complete; to have the maximum room height, we are inspired by the water ripple, which can cover up the different sizes of beams and ducts with its smooth movement.
The rooms with sanitary facilities have white marble floor and the other rooms have a kind of elegant iron wood parquet. The marble floor comes out as if liquid and makes a unique pattern in living space.

9th Floor - Kids
The ninth floor has the same problem with room height; we take the idea of zaojing – a traditional treatment of the ceiling – to maximize the spatial sense. All corners are carefully rounded according to geometry, function and technology. Therefore it provides an ultimate unique living experience for kids and encourages their interests on art and architecture.

The concept is to "see the history through the decade". We convinced the client to keep the old brick building, which witnessed the accelerated pace of change in China; and extended it with a lightweight glass facade, through which the inside bricks still can be seen.

The existing building contents as today the waiting area for visitors, the counters and the offices of the Visa section. The extension contents additiional offices, a small meeting room, a server room and toilets. An air lock and a canopy will be added to the visitors’ entrance. The roof of the extension will be planted (extensive lawn system). For energy saving reasons floor and roof will be well insulated. Low-e glazing will be used in facade. A floor heating, ceiling cooling system with ventilation for fresh air meet a high quality of comfort. The existing pavilion and his extension will be fully supplied by the existing technical installations in the basement of the chancellery.

The existing pavilion and his extension will be fully supplied by the existing technical installations in the basement of the chancellery. Two kinds of architecture are overlapped in across time.Bamboo is used as exterior and interior material to indicate the context -China. Both Chinese and Swiss visitors, will sense a familiar impression.

This house for a family of four is located in Bellmund, Switzerland, nearby Biel. Situated on a small plot, the structure’s “house” shape maximizes its height to ensure views of Lake Biennem, while a terrace space is cut from the roof volume. The house has a wood structure, as is usual in Switzerland. The skin is clad in grey industrial panels – a rough and weather resistant material with low costs. In contrast to the modest and functional exterior, the wooden structure is revealed within to give the interior an inviting sense of warmth.

Swissnex Shanghai is Switzerland's outpost for science, technology and culture in China. A large and flexible functional space is divided by a curved screen into 2 areas. The public area provides the workshops, conferences, exhibitions and reception spaces. Behind the screen is a friendly working space with a high flexibility for 7 to 14 workers. The screen flowing between ‘public’ and ‘private’ is the sensitive element plugged into the interior. The special attraction of this screen is its visual animation while you pass through.

As one of the most expensive office building in China, Shanghai Roche headquarter building has the most advanced technology worldwide: Geo-thermal technology, TAB system (Thermo active building system active heating system), and reinforced concrete structure (columns/ flat roof) with completely glazed fa?ades (thermally-isolated window frames and insulated glazing), flat planted roof, external sensor sun shades, and central control ed security system.TAB system is to use building’s own storage capacity which is utilized for temperature compensation and actived via natural heat sinks such as the ground , ground water, or cool night air. To reach the high efficiency and high comfort purpose) .

The un-insulated window frames, and single glazing of the existing building, will be replaced by modern, thermally-isolated window frames and insulated glazing. External sun shades will be added. The infill panels of the fa?ade will be heat insulated. The interior construction will be replaced completely. The offices will be finished with carpet tiles, white washed walls and suspended acoustic ceiling. The new buildings will be a reinforced concrete structure (columns/ flat roof) with completely glazed fa?ades (thermally-isolated window frames and insulated glazing); external sun shades and a flat planted roof. The building is made using reinforced concrete and has achieved the highest energy efficiency standards by using triple glazing with thermally-isolated window frames, external sun shades, a green roof, and geothermal technology.

The project received LEED Platinum in architecture. For the extension of the Shanghai Roche, we created a contemporary office environment with more links with light, air and outdoor space. For the first stage the existing office building will be extended with two new, four level, parallel wings.

Shanghai Roche’s sales are increasing rapidly in China. The site focuses exports to the Asia-Pacific region and potentially to the European Union. Shanghai Roche intends to expand their facilities in the upcoming years.

The main objectives set out by the Client were to provide an attractive, modern and integrated Site Development Plan that will serve as the basis for all the future detailed planning up to 2011. The Plan should also work after 2011 and allow for the full and efficient development of the site.

This is the simplest but most pragmatic expansion scenario. The office building and warehouse building are supposed to be extended as set out in the original outline of the Master Plan. The new production modules are to be located on the "reserve" land. And extending the site with the center of warehouse makes the layout reasonable and perfect. The technical part of the site will be restructured: The new production modules will be located where the existing Utility Building (No. 6) is situated. The greatest advantage of this proposed transformation is that passages may be created to connect the new production modules with the existing production facilities.