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Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija by Shujian You

Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija by Shujian You is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Dzelzs balva A' Design Award in Arhitektūras, ēku un būvju dizains Competition Category.


DzelzsArhitektūra· 2025

Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija

by Shujian You

Client: Sj

Dzelzs balva A' Design Award Winner in Arhitektūra Category

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The Design

About Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija

Šis projekts pārveido modernistisko Seagram ēku par nākotnes darba vietu, prioritāti piešķirot cilvēka labklājībai un vides atbildībai, vienlaikus saglabājot tās ikonisko bronzas fasādi. Jauna divslāņu apvalka konstrukcija uzlabo energoefektivitāti, un tajā pievienotās konstrukcijas veido pielāgojamas zonas, kalpojot par starpsieniem un uzglabāšanas risinājumiem, kas pārveido atvērtā plānojuma izkārtojumu. Risinot postpandēmijas darbavietu vajadzības, šī intervence atdzīvina Seagram ēku, atjaunojot tās aktualitāti ar renovētu iekšējo matricu.

The Recognition

About the Dzelzs balva A' Design Award

Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija ir Dzelzs balvas A' Design Award ieguvējs, prestiža atzinība, ko piešķir labiem dizainiem, kas atbilst profesionālajām un rūpnieciskajām prasībām, kādas sagaidāmas no labi izstrādātiem darbiem. Dzelzs ieguvēji parāda to radītāju lielo prasmi, augsto specializāciju, ekspertu izpratni un radošo spēju. Sagaidāms, ka Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija būs augsti vērtēts, apbrīnots un cienīts darbs, praktisks un inovatīvs. Šis ar Dzelzs balvu apbalvotais dizains integrē nozares labāko praksi un tam ir kompetentas tehniskās īpašības, kas saistītas ar zinātību un talantu. Matrix Beyond Bronze Biroju ēkas renovācija tiek cienīts par rūpību un ir izstrādāts, lai uzlabotu dzīves kvalitāti un palīdzētu padarīt pasauli labāku.

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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