SOHO China's CEO Zhang Xin had two main requirements for the redesign of the SOHO headquarters at Chaowai SOHO; an exhibition space to display SOHO China projects, and a redesign of the company’s meeting and office rooms. The space behind the reception on the 11th floor was given a new importance. Partially recessed walls lined in black glass display a collection of architectural models of other renowned SOHO projects. The black recessed stripe sets a high contrast to the newly built white models from Zaha Hadid, GMP and others. On level 15 - the executive floor - the brief was to update the two large meeting rooms used for internal staff meetings. Karin Hepp, the lead designer, injected some subtle colours into these rooms. In the larger meeting room three sheets of orange tinted glass form a division between the high bar, which runs along one side of the room, and the 24-person, marble-toped meeting room table at the centre. The glass provides a warm glow which is echoed in the copper-plated skirting below the white benches lining the opposite wall. Wood flooring and a custom made rug complete the look. The overall effect is a more feminine feel, contrasting the design of the model display area on the 11th floor. From both meeting rooms double doors lead to the outside roof terrace where Karin also added two summer pavilions.
