Matrix Beyond Bronze Àtúnṣe Ilé-iṣẹ́ Òfíìsì by Shujian You is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ìkọ́lé, Ilé àti Ètò Competition Category.
IrinÌkọ́lé· 2025
Matrix Beyond Bronze Àtúnṣe Ilé-iṣẹ́ Òfíìsì
by Shujian You
Client: Sj
Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award Winner in Ìkọ́lé Category
Verified Award Winner
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About Matrix Beyond Bronze Àtúnṣe Ilé-iṣẹ́ Òfíìsì
Iṣẹ́-àkànṣe yìí yí Ilé Seagram aṣa-òde-òní padà sí ibi iṣẹ́ ọjọ́ iwájú, tí ó fifi ìlera àti ìdàáṣì ènìyàn pẹ̀lú ojúṣe sí àyíká ṣáájú lakòókò tí ó ń tọ́jú ojú-ilé idẹ rẹ̀ tí ó jẹ́ àmì-ìdánimọ̀. Ètọ̀ awọ ilé méjì tuntun mú kí ìṣiṣẹ́ agbára dára sí i, nínú èyí tí àwọn ètò tí a fi kún ṣàlàyé àwọn agbègbè tó lè yípadà, tí ó ń ṣiṣẹ́ bí ìpín àti ibi ìpamọ́ tó ń tún ètò ìlànà gbangba náà ṣe. Ní kíkọjú sí àwọn ìnílò ibi-iṣẹ́ lẹ́yìn àjàkálẹ̀-ààrùn, ìlọ́wọ́sí yìí sọ Ilé Seagram di títún, ó sì tún ń fi ìdí pàtàkì rẹ̀ múlẹ̀ nípasẹ̀ ètò inú tuntun.
The Recognition
About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award
Matrix Beyond Bronze Àtúnṣe Ilé-iṣẹ́ Òfíìsì jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó dára tí wọ́n pàdé àwọn ohun tí iṣẹ́ àti ilé-iṣẹ́ nílò tí a retí láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ẹ̀dá tí a ṣàwòṣe dáradára. Àwọn olùborí Irin ń fi ìjáfáfá ńlá, ìmọ̀ pàtó gíga, òye ògbóǹtarìgì àti agbára ìṣẹ̀dá àwọn olùṣẹ̀dá wọn hàn. A retí pé Matrix Beyond Bronze Àtúnṣe Ilé-iṣẹ́ Òfíìsì yóò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó wúlò tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ ilé-iṣẹ́ jọ, ó sì ní àwọn ànímọ́ ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ tó péye tí a so mọ́ ìmọ̀ ṣíṣe àti ẹ̀bùn. A bọ̀wọ̀ fún Matrix Beyond Bronze Àtúnṣe Ilé-iṣẹ́ Òfíìsì nítorí ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀ rẹ̀, a sì ṣàwòṣe rẹ̀ láti pèsè ìmúdára ìgbésí ayé tó ń ran ayé lọ́wọ́ láti di ibi tó dára jù.
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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