VIRTUARCH REALISES THE SHANGHAI OFFICE FOR DULWICH COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL
Dulwich College International (DCI) is a leader in the international education sector, with its renowned Dulwich umbrella of Colleges and High Schools.
As a trusted partner of DCI, having designed and managed several campuses of Dulwich schools in China and advised on projects in Asia, VIRTUARCH was selected for the interior design and the project management of the new offices of DCI in China, on one office floor of ca. 2,000 square meters in Plaza 66 on West Nanjing Road in the city centre of Shanghai.
Environmentally Friendly, Innovative and Comfortable
“The design of the new office had to be in line with the group’s philosophy and should reflect the innovative educational approach of the company. This was one of the major requirements of DCI”, says Daniel HEUSSER, President of VIRTUARCH. The new office also had to be low-carbon, environmentally friendly, green and healthy; it should create a comfortable and warm office environment with a sense of belonging. After a thorough analysis and understanding of DCI’s education and business philosophy, VIRTUARCH created five areas of experience with its own feeling and functionality each: the reception area, the central conference area, the town hall area, the open office area, and the brainstorming area.
Lobby
Open office area
Meeting room
Brainstorming area
Rest area
Separation and Integration
The new DCI office serves as a coworking space, allowing the employees to engage with each other in generous, shared office areas. Spacious conference rooms are located close to the reception area, while a so-called ‘town hall’ is designed as a social and gathering space for employees, and a central meeting point of the internal office area.
Town hall
Big meeting room
In order to create a low-carbon and environmentally friendly office space, VIRTUARCH decided to use natural materials, such as diatom mud, green walls, recycled wood, and carpets with sustainability certification. An energy-saving light concept ensures a warm atmosphere while reducing operating costs. Most areas do also have natural daylight. Fresh air is provided via an air-purifying system. Warm colours create a positive atmosphere, mirroring the philosophy of the DCI and its brand.Â
Negotiation room
East and West Combined in Natural Elements
The overall design of the office space combines elements of Eastern and the Western culture into an office ‘workspace’ providing flexible, functional and comfortable work places integrating natural elements. In order to give the office a friendly atmosphere, a colour and material concept of warm tones was implemented, and carpets were chosen that reminds of moss and slate. The new DCI office is an excellent example of how to create a coworking space with private areas combining different cultures inspired by nature.Â
Corridor and leisure area                       Phone booth
PROJECT NAME: DULWICH COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL SHANGHAI OFFICE
LOCATION: PLAZA 66, SHANGHAI, P.R. CHINA
TYPOLOGY: OFFICE DESIGN
PROJECT SIZE: 2,000 m2
DESIGN / BUILD: 2019 / 2020
SERVICES: PROJECT PREPARATION, INTERIOR DESIGN, PROJECT MANAGEMENTÂ
