Matrix Beyond Bronze オフィスビルリノベーション by Shujian You is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 鉄賞 in 建築・建物・構造物デザイン Competition Category.
鉄建築· 2025
Matrix Beyond Bronze オフィスビルリノベーション
by Shujian You
Client: Sj
A' Design Award 鉄賞 Winner in 建築 Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #167692The Design
About Matrix Beyond Bronze オフィスビルリノベーション
本プロジェクトは、モダニズム建築の象徴であるシーグラムビルを未来の職場へと変革し、象徴的なブロンズファサードを保存しながら、人間のウェルビーイングと環境への配慮を優先している。新たなダブルスキン構造がエネルギー性能を向上させ、その内部に追加された構造が適応可能なゾーンを定義し、間仕切りや収納として機能することでオープンプランレイアウトを再構築する。ポストパンデミック時代の職場ニーズに応えるこの取り組みは、刷新された内部構成を通じてシーグラムビルを活性化し、その現代的意義を再確立する。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 鉄賞
Matrix Beyond Bronze オフィスビルリノベーションは、よく設計された創造物に期待される専門的・産業的要件を満たす優れたデザインに授与される、権威ある評価である A' Design Award 鉄賞の受賞作品です。鉄賞の受賞作品は、制作者の高い技量、高度な専門性、専門家としての理解、創造的な能力を示しています。Matrix Beyond Bronze オフィスビルリノベーションは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される、実用的で革新的な創造物であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 鉄賞を受賞したデザインは、業界のベストプラクティスを統合し、ノウハウと才能に結びついた有能な技術的特性を備えています。Matrix Beyond Bronze オフィスビルリノベーションは、その徹底ぶりで尊敬され、世界をより良い場所にするための生活の質の向上をもたらすよう設計されています。
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- This project reimagines the Seagram Building by superimposing a 45-degree grid onto its modernist framework, creating a double-skin facade that enhances energy efficiency while preserving its heritage, with triangular wellness spaces in between. Added structures transform the office space into adaptable zones, serving as storage, partitions, and stairs that redefine the open-plan layout. The design prioritizes well-being, sustainability, and a forward-thinking workplace vision.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The Seagram Building’s vertical structure and facade remain intact, while every other concrete floor and beams are replaced with a CLT system, integrating with the existing frame, ensuring vertical and lateral stability. The void between CLT and the original structure conceals a retrofitted mechanical system, optimizing energy efficiency and space utilization. This approach enhances functionality, sustainability, and allows the upgrades to happen without altering the building’s historic exterior.
- Tags
- Building Renovation, Workplace, Co-working Space, Modular Design, Sustainable Design
- Production Technology
- The facade retrofit employs a modular CLT and double-glazed curtain wall system, ensuring precision, reduced waste, and efficient on-site assembly. Sustainably sourced timber provides structural integrity and warmth, while high-performance glazing enhances insulation. The directional facade strategy and Integrated blinds offer additional shading, reducing energy demand. The modular approach allows seamless integration with the existing structure, preserving heritage while upgrading thermal and spatial efficiency.
- Design Challenge
- The greatest challenge was balancing modern sustainability with the Seagram Building’s historic integrity. The rigid modernist grid conflicted with the need for a workplace suggested by latest researches that value boundaries as a tool for productivity and well-being. The solution emerged by superimposing a 45-degree grid, introducing modular storage partition units and an inner facade system. This approach preserved the original aesthetic while enhancing building energy performance and redefining spatial boundaries as a positive element that enhances workplace quality.
- Research
- This research explores building energy efficiency, workplace design through post-pandemic shifts, and spatial psychology. It aims to provide a scalable strategy to transform heritage office buildings with improved sustainability and workers' well-being. Using case studies, simulations, and expert interviews, data was collected on improved building energy performance with added inner facade system, and altered office behavior with partitions. Testing modular partition of different plans and openness revealed how structured boundaries enhance focus and productivity, providing a direction for future workplace design.
- Inspiration
- The Seagram Building, a modernist icon, embodies minimalist elegance but reflects a time when energy efficiency was secondary. It highlights the challenge of adapting heritage buildings to modern performance standards and evolving workplace needs, especially post-pandemic. Open-plan offices, once symbols of collaboration, now face criticism for lacking personal boundaries. How can we honor modernist architecture while meeting today’s demand for sustainable, human-centered office spaces?
- Project Duration
- Future project in New York City
- Operation Flow
- Added structures serve as staggered partitions and storage walls, balancing fluid movement and the creation of spatial boundaries while redefining the open-plan layout. They form diverse work zones, integrating reception, meeting spaces, a library, a refreshment lounge, and staircases to foster interaction. Integrated AR/MR systems amplify collaboration, enabling seamless interaction between physical and remote virtual spaces.
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