UF Soft R&D Center
For the UF Soft R&D Center, we began the architectural design by studying the way computer programmers work and live. In order to create a healthier working environment, we borrowed the basic fabric of the old Beijing – the courtyard houses, which offer their residents the proximity of the nature – to mix indoor and outdoor spaces. To further reinforce the integration of the architecture and the landscape, the complex was limited to only three stories and shallow depth that allows better natural ventilation and daylight. The end result is a mat building that could extend horizontally or a fine-grained fabric urban design that is the antithesis of treating buildings as objects. In the plan, the complex consists of three inter-connected buildings. Two major courtyards are situated in between the buildings with various smaller courts and terraces on different levels. Beside the concern of health, making team working more spontaneous is another important aim of the design. The diverse public spaces indoor and outdoor have been proven to encourage people to interact, to communicate, and to socialize. While there are a number of materials and construction methods employed in the project, glass blocks embedded in the concrete masonry units is the main technological innovation, which gives the building a solid and transparent appearance at the same time.
CREDITS
Architect: : Atelier FCJZ
Principal Architect: Yung Ho Chang
Project Architects: Jia lianna, Chen Long , Liu Yang
Project Team: Bai Chen, Hao Shuang, Zang Feng
Partner： Beijing AS Architectural Design & Consultation Company Ltd
Building area: 15347 m2
Total floor area: 46121.81m2
Design Period: November, 2003 ～May,2005
Construction: December, 2005 ～February,2007
Clients: UFSOFT CO., LTD
Structure and material: Reinforced concrete frame with partial steel frame and concrete-block walls
