Neri & Hu transforms an old warehouse into the stunning Lao Ding Feng Beijing, blending old and new elements to create a unique retail and office space for the historical Chinese pastry brand.
The Lao Ding Feng Beijing by Neri & Hu is a new and innovative project in Beijing, China that showcases the expertise of this world-renowned architecture firm. This adaptive reuse of an old warehouse building is located in a transitional neighborhood near the Northeast 5th Ring Road, and was once used for cotton textile production. Neri & Hu were called upon to design the main office and retail concept store for the historical Chinese pastry brand Lao Ding Feng, which was founded in 1911.
The design concept for this project is inspired by the client's main product, traditional Chinese-style pastries, often formed in a decorative mold. This notion of shaping a container to hold its contents is reflected in the design of the building, where a new cast concrete object is molded into the old brick shell. This process creates various openings and negative spaces that form the main retail, gallery, and office spaces.
The use of concrete and bricks in this project creates a harmonious balance between old and new elements. The new cast concrete object is bush-hammered for a soft textural quality that contrasts with and also compliments the old bricks. The gap spaces between the new object and the original shell become flexible areas for a café and multipurpose lobby. The ground floor contains the exhibition area, the flagship store, the garden, and the café, while the second floor is mainly used as the head office.
In conclusion, Lao Ding Feng Beijing by Neri & Hu is a unique and innovative project that showcases the expertise of this world-renowned architecture firm. The design concept and the use of concrete and bricks in this project create a harmonious balance between old and new elements and make it a standout structure in the transitional neighborhood of Beijing.
