A Tour of Astudio’s New Beijing Office

Michal
Media
6 years ago

Astudio, a photography studio based in Beijing, China focused on architectural photography, recently hired architecture firm United Units Architects to build and design their new office in Beijing, China.

“Located on the east side of the central business district of Beijing within the Art Valley Cultural & Creative Industry Park, the design of new ASTUDIO space combines rustic industrial style with minimalist overtones. Being a 2 storey workshop originally, the space is ideal for photography, with enough area to satisfy the specific requirements from the photographer for the new studio, including the request for 2 separate areas for photography. UUA’s proposal looked to first transform the original two-storey building into a three-storey space. By partitioning the space vertically, the large single space is divided into separate photo studios, each with an independent entrance and dressing room, thereby facilitating simultaneous and independent shooting. The reception area and studio-1 now being on the first floor, with additional working space and studio- 2 occupying the second and third floor respectively. In order to satisfy the specific functional requirements of ASTUDIO, the team at UUA created a compact and adaptable series of spaces. Designated areas for photo shooting, dressing, reception, meeting, working, and leisure are integrated within the existing building envelope. Exact consideration was given to the photo studio itself, as being at the heart of this complex and built to predetermined dimensions, it should also accommodate infinity cove with additional space for scenery, lighting and shooting. UUA’s concept retained half of the first floor double height space for Studio 1, then adding a new second floor to the remaining half to house the reception area and flexible working space. Studio 2 was then situated to the top floor of the building, providing an adequate area to satisfy the exact spacial requirements. The design team proposed using materials and colors within the space to create not only a high quality finish but more importantly an environment optimized for photography. Taking the palette of black, white and gray, a brass metal colour was added in specific areas, to highlight the overall tone of the space. The texture and colour of the original brick wall was preserved by using a transparent paint, in contrast to the ceiling being painted black. For the floor, the public area is covered with self-leveling cement, whilst in the working area and dressing room, a timber floor is utilized,” said United Unites Architects