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Caijiao Design Studio, Beijing
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The studio, a renovation project, harmonizes with nature, prioritizes eco-friendliness, blends work and life, elevating it to an art form. Staff feels like family, conveying our life ethos and design principles through their work and lifestyle. We employ diverse colors and textures to express our passion for Eastern aesthetics.
The project faced three major challenges. Firstly, the original building structure consisted of eight independent, closed-off rooms. The enclosed spaces were not conducive to functional layouts and didn't align with our open design philosophy. Therefore, during the renovation, we conducted extensive research on the building structure, primarily aiming to break down barriers between spaces and blur the lines between indoor and outdoor areas.
Secondly, the original external structure was far from ideal, with neglected courtyard and unsatisfactory surroundings. Transforming the neglected courtyard into our envisioned landscaped garden, seamlessly integrated with the interior, posed the biggest challenge.
Lastly, designing one's own studio always comes with a sense of imperfection. From initial design to construction, this process seems never-ending. During usage, habits of space utilization, the growth of courtyard plants, and the incorporation of various activities continually prompted us to observe and contemplate. Space grows with us; it isn't fixed at a specific moment during construction. It constantly evolves and changes, making our design an ongoing process without an endpoint.
Faced with these challenges, we first underwent structural modifications, opening the originally enclosed spaces and redesigning the layout. We also enlarged the building's windows, allowing the courtyard's scenery to naturally extend indoors. This concept of bringing the outdoors inside creates a seamless atmosphere. Our core philosophy revolves around embracing nature, ensuring that every employee in the studio always feels nature’s presence. Here, employees work and live in an open and relaxed environment, much like a family.
Secondly, we reimagined the external environment of the building, transforming the courtyard into a vibrant landscape. We planted large hawthorn trees, providing shelter for people, and meticulously designed water features, integrating greenery and water into daily life. Additionally, we improved the ground leading to the main city road, creating a favorable environment for ourselves, and offering convenience to the entire community.
The entire studio is designed to be completely open and relaxed, seamlessly blending work and life while infusing life with artistry. Everyone can read, communicate, and hold meetings in the courtyard, exercise in the yoga room, and spend time with our small dog in the materials room. Whether it's noon or evening, we can prepare tea and cook together in the kitchen. We even incorporated shower facilities into the bathroom, integrating comfort into the work environment. This close integration of people and space allows us to form a deep connection and emotional bond with the space, allowing the space to grow alongside everyone.

Agency:GrandZ Build Architectural Office (Chongqing) Co., LTD

Architect, interior designer, landscape designer. Founder of Beijing Cai Shi Space Design Co., Ltd. Deputy Director of the display Art Committee (ADCC) of China Interior Decoration Association. The first mentor of the China-Europe Young designers Forum of Ghent University in Belgium. National instructor of 2020 China Home products Design Competition. Judges of the "Life +" program of Beijing TV Station. "Guanghua Longteng Cup" Top Ten Outstanding Youth in Decoration Industry.
Cai Jiao is famous for his unique design ideas and innovative methods. He constantly challenges the boundaries of traditional design, creating eye-catching architecture and interior space. Cai Jiao's design mainly combines traditional and modern, and is good at combining Chinese traditional cultural elements with modern design to create unique works. The work has both oriental charm and modern natural elements, is the pioneer of an innovative design style, and is very good at using a variety of materials and light and shadow in the space.