GREENLEAF CORP

At the intersection of science and design, the new headquarters for an advanced materials company reimagines the workplace as a living museum of innovation. This office isn’t just a space for operations—it’s a bold architectural statement that celebrates the tactile, visual, and experiential dimensions of material research. With its soaring atrium, sculptural gold staircase, and dynamic use of color, the space embodies the forward-thinking spirit of the company while inviting curiosity and interaction at every turn.

Project info

Client

GREENLEAF CORP

Project Type

Workplace

Location

China

Project Area

525sqm

Project Area

November 2024

Defining contemporary workspace

The design transforms a conventional office floorplate into a multi-level spatial experience centered around a dramatic double-height atrium. Once a purely pragmatic shell, the interior was opened up vertically to create sightlines, light movement, and cross-floor interaction. The atrium func – tions as the project’s social and symbolic core—anchored by a striking gold spiral staircase that ascends through light and shadow like a kinetic sculpture. Circulation was re – imagined as a looped journey rather than static corridors, promoting flow and exploration across departments.

Every material in the project was chosen to reflect the brand’s essence: innovation, transformation, and energy. High-performance finishes—polished concrete, engi – neered composites, anodized metal—are balanced by tac – tile surfaces and bold design gestures. The gold staircase, finished in brushed champagne aluminum, becomes a lu – minous centerpiece, catching natural and artificial light throughout the day.

Connecting and putting community at the foremost

A vibrant palette of red and orange punctuates the space, used intentionally in furniture, lighting, and custom-built partitions. These colors reference both thermal energy and creative momentum, injecting vitality without overpower – ing the spatial clarity. Modular work zones are framed in warm-toned glass and matte metal, while communal areas feature soft textiles, acoustically treated ceilings, and cu – rated displays of the company’s material breakthroughs— merging workspace with exhibit space.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What was the starting point for this project?

The client didn’t want a typical office—they wanted a space that would represent their identity as a pioneer in material science. Our challenge was to translate that into a spatial language. From the beginning, I envisioned something that felt like a cross between a contemporary museum and a collaborative lab. It needed to showcase the beauty of materials, while still functioning as a dynamic workplace.

The gold spiral staircase is striking. What was the idea behind it?

That staircase is more than a circulation element—it’s a symbol of transformation and elevation. It anchors the atrium, drawing the eye upward and linking the two levels both physically and conceptually. We used a brushed gold finish to reflect light and movement throughout the day. It feels monumental, but fluid—like the way materials evolve through innovation.

How did you approach the spatial organiza - tion of the office?

We broke away from the traditional grid. Instead, we created a looped layout—no dead ends, just constant movement and shifting sightlines. It was important to design a space that encouraged exploration and cross disciplinary flow, much like how material science thrives on unexpected connections.

The use of red and orange is bold. Why those colors?

We wanted the space to have vibrancy and emotional energy. Red and orange are colors of heat, innovation, even combustion—they represent the raw potential of materials being pushed to their limits. We used them sparingly but intentionally, as accents that guide you through the space and infuse it with rhythm and warmth.

How does the design reflect the client’s core values?

The company is constantly inventing—creating new materials, new possibilities. So we designed the space to be alive and unfinished in the best way. There are display areas that evolve, zones that can shift, and surfaces that invite touch and curiosity. It’s a place that reflects precision and progress, but also creativity and humanity.

What’s your favorite moment in the space?

Definitely the moment when you step into the atrium,and see the staircase spiraling upward, lit from above. It feels monumental and intimate at the same time. And when you move through the red-glass meeting pods or catch the edge of a light-reflecting material sample, you realize the space is full of small surprises. That’s what I love designing not just form, but experience.

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