At MAX Zone Ningbo, Ippolito Fleitz Group crafts a tech-driven workplace where 3D-printing labs, hybrid offices and serene lounges coexist — balancing innovation with human-centred touches and spatial warmth.
Over centuries, the Chinese port city of Ningbo has thrived by adapting to political and economic shifts. Drawing on this ability to embrace change and an innovative spirit, we have envisioned a dynamic, modern work environment for the MAX Zone Technology Park’s sales centre and show office. Moving beyond conventional, static offices, the design embraces fluid, user-centric spaces that encourage creativity, collaboration and a sense of community.
Spread over five floors, the show office offers a bold vision of the future of contemporary work. The lobby immediately makes a dramatic statement: linear floor and ceiling structures guide the eye toward the reception, while a dramatically suspended conference capsule above impressively conveys that new ideas arise through dialogue and exchange.
The floor above introduces a prototype workshop, complete with a 3D printer, illustrating the iterative, collaborative development process from concept to product. Next, the R&D level centres around a raised laboratory platform, with workstations docked seamlessly around it – demonstrating the close interplay between teamwork and innovation.
The fourth floor showcases flexible spatial modules and hybrid-use areas, showing how spaces and teams can quickly adapt to changing requirements.
At the pinnacle, the top floor reinterprets modern leadership in the context of Asian culture. Partition walls and room dividers balance the demands of openness and privacy, while a soft, hotel-inspired design idiom fosters a calm, inclusive ambience. A tea room and lounges provide ideal settings for both formal and informal discussions.
Inspired by the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese courtyards, the sales centre reimagines symmetry and order through a contemporary lens. Upon entering, soaring two-storey partition walls give a captivating prelude, guiding visitors on a meticulously curated, almost ceremonial journey. Undulating, leather-clad walls subtly divide the space into distinct functional zones, while integrated pivot doors reveal unexpected perspectives, defining areas and transforming exploration of the space into an immersive experience. Drawing on the energy and heritage of Ningbo, the space harmoniously bridges tradition and modernity, creating an atmosphere that honours the past while embracing the future.
Project: MAX Zone Ningbo Show Office & Sales Centre
Location: Ningbo, China
Project Size: 474 sqm (Sales Centre)
Project Size: 930 sqm (Show Office)
Design Studio: Ippolito Fleitz Group
Photo Credit: Zhu Di
Website: ifgroup.org
