Torch Public Lobby

Completion
February, 2022
Client
Jinmao Capital, GoHigh Capital, BCDH
Location
Beijing
Size
4,905 sqm
Design Team
Andreas Thomczyk, Ran Huo, Mason Sun, Ruirui Zhu

An existing office tower located in Beijing’s financial district provided the starting point for the project. While the building occupies a prime location, its original appearance lacked presence and a welcoming character. Public facilities were limited in size and modest in design, offering little spatial identity for tenants or visitors.
With a new group of ambitious developers taking over the property, we were commissioned to reposition the tower and elevate its architectural quality, transforming it into a contemporary workplace environment capable of attracting a new generation of companies from emerging industries.
The interior design strategy is built upon three key interventions. First, the previously separated entrance levels — basement and ground floor — were opened up and reorganized into a multi-level lobby landscape. The new lobby unfolds across three floors, with generous double-height spaces arranged around the building’s core, creating a dynamic sequence of arrival, orientation, and social interaction.
Second, a surprising and unconventional primary material was introduced to redefine the character of the formerly grey building: terracotta. Inspired by the distinctive paving of the Campo in Siena, Italy, this warm and tactile material brings a sense of depth and authenticity to the interior. Its earthy tone establishes a subtle balance between comfort and professionalism, creating an environment that feels both welcoming and refined.
Finally, the previously unused rooftop was transformed into a sky garden. Conceived as a green retreat above the city, it offers tenants a shared outdoor space for informal meetings, breaks, or after-work gatherings, adding a new social dimension to the office tower.
Together, these interventions reposition the building as a vibrant workplace destination — a place that combines architectural clarity, material warmth, and contemporary urban lifestyle.