In China, a former textile factory houses the headquarters of a pastry brand

The transformation of an old industrial building in Beijing was entrusted to Neri&Hu who, between the renovation of the existing building and new additions, gave shape to an architecture with an emotional interior.

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Francesca Grillo
31 January 2023
Beijing, China
Neri&Hu
974 sqm
Offices, concept store
2022

Located on the edge of Beijing’s Northeast 5th Ring Road is the former industrial building that now houses the headquarters of a historic Chinese pastry brand. The old industrial area, which is currently in a state of constant change, had its own railway depot, the Langyuan Station, used to transport goods to and from the Chinese capital.

The old building in question was a factory that produced cotton fabrics, now adapted to house the offices and concept store of Lao Ding Feng, a well-known bakery brand. The project was entrusted to Neri&Hu, who chose to merge past and present, giving shape to a poetic and emotional space.

Neri&Hu, Lao Ding Feng Beijing. Photo Zhu Runzi

The original brick structure was refurbished and then completed with concrete additions that aim to produce a clear distinction with the pre-existing environment: just as a cake is moulded by its container, in this project the concrete is amalgamated within the brick building, proposing new spaces.

The design is a constant succession of solids and voids, of openings in space and skylights. Concrete – bush-hammered by expert craftsmen to allow it to appear almost soft to the eye – also emerges at times on the facade in place of voids or to indicate new entrances. The environments house offices, a gallery for exhibitions and retail spaces, a garden and a café.

Neri&Hu, Lao Ding Feng Beijing. Photo Zhu Runzi

Lao Ding Feng Beijing
Beijing, China
Offices, concept store
Neri&Hu
Zhao L ei
Ivy Feng, Tian Hua , Wenbo Da , Joy Han, Mingxuan Wei , Nicolas Fardet , July Huang Lyuqitiao Wang
Questing Building (Beijing) Technology Co., LTD
Linea Light (China) CO., LTD
Beijing Jianyan Urban Renewal Engineering Technology Co. LTD
Beijing Lao Ding Feng Food Co., LTD
1,345 sqm
974 sqm
2022