Architecture

Would you like to work in an all-glass office?

Would you like to work in an all-glass office?
The Shanghai-based Glass Office, by AIM Architecture (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The Shanghai-based Glass Office, by AIM Architecture (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is undoubtedly stunning to look at, but how practical is it? (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is undoubtedly stunning to look at, but how practical is it? (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The Shanghai-based Glass Office, by AIM Architecture (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The Shanghai-based Glass Office, by AIM Architecture (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is sure to give the privacy-conscious nightmares (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is sure to give the privacy-conscious nightmares (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The interior design could potentially reduce lighting needs (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The interior design could potentially reduce lighting needs (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is up for rent and offers potential customers to see exactly what they're getting (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is up for rent and offers potential customers to see exactly what they're getting (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is undoubtedly stunning to look at (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is undoubtedly stunning to look at (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The Glass Office, SOHO China, by AIM Architecture (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The Glass Office, SOHO China, by AIM Architecture (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The interior looks like something from a sci-fi movie (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The interior looks like something from a sci-fi movie (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The interior design could potentially reduce lighting needs (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The interior design could potentially reduce lighting needs (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is based in downtown Shanghai (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is based in downtown Shanghai (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is sure to give the privacy conscious nightmares (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is sure to give the privacy conscious nightmares (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The interior looks like something from a sci-fi movie (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The interior looks like something from a sci-fi movie (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is up for rent and offers potential customers to see exactly what they're getting (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is up for rent and offers potential customers to see exactly what they're getting (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is based in downtown Shanghai (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is based in downtown Shanghai (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is undoubtedly stunning to look at, but how practical is it? (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is undoubtedly stunning to look at, but how practical is it? (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The office is based in downtown Shanghai (Photo: Jerry Yin)
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The office is based in downtown Shanghai (Photo: Jerry Yin)
Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
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Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
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Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
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Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
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Architectural drawing (Image: AIM Architecture)
View gallery - 20 images

The ubiquitous office cubicle has redefined how much privacy pencil-pushers can expect during their daily grind, but a new office block in downtown Shanghai by AIM Architecture goes much further than this. The futuristic-looking workplace sports glass walls and mirrored ceilings throughout to stunning effect.

In addition to offering fertile ground for office gossips, the unusual interior layout could also potentially reduce lighting energy needs significantly. Unwanted glare would be a definite concern with all the light bouncing around, but the designers note that they incorporated areas of dull stone and carpet in key areas of the floor to combat this.

The interior design could potentially reduce lighting needs (Photo: Jerry Yin)
The interior design could potentially reduce lighting needs (Photo: Jerry Yin)

AIM Architecture also states that the unique design creates a "double reality, that merges with the stunning views of downtown Shanghai." Pretentious perhaps, but once one embarks upon building an office block interior comprised mostly of glass and mirror, it makes sense to just run with it.

Coming back down to earth, the office block was completed earlier this year and forms part of Shanghai's large mixed-use Fuxing Plaza complex. The office units are currently offered for rent, and boast the benefit of offering customers the opportunity to see exactly what they're paying for.

Source: AIM Architecture via ArchDaily

View gallery - 20 images
7 comments
7 comments
Richard Dinerman
Wasn't this the set for a scene from a recent James Bond movie???
mr.sugg
Have these architects ever seen the dust and muck on the top of an office ceiling panel? How are you going to clean the top of the glass other than removing every 3rd panel.
Bryan Paschke
I think they SIGNIFICANTLY glossed over the whole glare thing. Imagine trying to work on your computer with the sun in front of you...and then, as the day ages, behind you. Yeah, neat concept, but NO.
kalqlate
"The futuristic-looking workplace sports glass walls and mirrored ceilings throughout..."
Other than the hallway, all ceilings are transparent glass, not mirrored.
It might be alarming to see some areas turn blood-red during even small tremors.
kamaaina
Did they photoshop the beautiful sun ray?
Don Duncan
A beautiful work of art.
The long term psychological effects and practicality will determine the future of this experiment.
It is work out, I predict it will be used for homes next.
noteugene
No way. How's a guy going to be able watch questionable web sites?