HNS Studio

HNS Studio
The relationship of light and shadow between indoor and outdoor before reconstruction. Image © Xiaowen Jin

HNS STUDIO

Muhhe Studio

ARCHITECTS
Muhhe Studio

CLIENTS
HNS studio

MANUFACTURERS
USM, Velux

DESIGN TEAM
Wan Junjie, Zhang Xu, Feng Miaoning, Zhong Lu

COLLABORATORS
Nanjing Rundu Architectural Decoration Engineering Co. Ltd

PHOTOGRAPHS
Xiaowen Jin, Xiaohan, HNS studio

AREA
120 m²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Nanjing, China

CATEGORY
Renovation, Offices Interiors

Huai Nianshu is an excellent photographer. His new studio is located in an old factory facing the street in Nanjing L.park.

HNS Studio
Relationship between indoor and outdoor. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Relationship between indoor and outdoor. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Corridoe. Image © Xiaowen Jin

In the early summer before the reconstruction, we went to the site, after the old partition was removed, the high-rise space of the old plant was warm and transparent in the sunlight of the afternoon.

The photographer himself is extremely sensitive to light. His only expectation for the new space of the studio is "a transparent" space.

Spatial operation: we changed the direction of the entrance. The original entrance facing the street was placed on the south side.

HNS Studio
Continues and rhythmic open space. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Relationship between new volume and old space. Image © Xiaowen Jin

Before entering the office, we would first pass through a semi-enclosed courtyard.

The internal small space like an office, dressing room, the toilet is centrally placed in a wooden box on the first floor, and the large space like photo studio, reception area, an open office area on the second floor is spread around the wooden box.

HNS Studio
Building Openings. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Direct Sunlight in the afternoon. Image © Xiaowen Jin

The newly added space volume is separated from the old factory.

Around the newly added volume, it is a continuous and rhythmic open space, achieving the "transparent" of the space.

HNS Studio
Staircase leading to mezzanine level. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Relationship between new materials and old materials. Image © Xiaowen Jin

Light operation: we use BIM to simulate the indoor space of the original building exposed to direct sunlight. 

According to the simulation, several openings of different sizes are added on the west gable and roof to ensure uniform light in the room.

On a sunny afternoon, direct sunlight will fall in different places and move slowly with time, showing "transparency" in the light.

HNS Studio
Direct sunlight in the winter. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Old wall treatment. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Relationship between new volume and old space. Image © Xiaowen Jin

Indoor and outdoor relationship operation: the studio is close to the T-junction of the main road in the park, with frequent people and vehicles.

Three large windows like shop windows are opened on the gable to weaken the indoor and outdoor boundary.

"The arcade is the junction of the street and the interior. That is, it turns the Boulevard into an interior, and the street into a residence for the stroller; he is as comfortable between the facades of many shops as a citizen in his private residence (Walter Benjamin, Paris, capital of the 19th century, Chapter 2: stroller)"

HNS Studio
Photostudio. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Direct sunlight in the afternoon. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Office. Image © Xiaowen Jin

Material operation: for the newly added volume, we use all-birch Marine board and white painted steel plate to make it simple and delicate, while for the wall and ceiling of the old plant, we try to retain the original mottled texture.

For the newly added external doors and windows, we use the three-layer solid wood board to ensure its stability while retaining the original woodiness.

On-site control outside the drawings: the site of reconstruction projects is often complex and full of unexpected, such as uncontrolled pipeline installation and the treatment of exposed walls with demolition.

HNS Studio
The relationship of light and shadow between indoor and outdoor during reconstruction. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
The south entrance. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Relationship between project and the park. Image © Xiaowen Jin

These unexpected can not be controlled through the drawings.

On-site tracking design has become an important part of design control, and this process is often full of fun and surprises.


HNS Studio
Old wall treatment. Image © Xiaowen Jin
HNS Studio
Courtsey of Muhhe Studio
HNS Studio
Courtesy of Muhhe Studio


HNS Studio
Section perspective. Image Courtsey of Muhhe Studio
HNS Studio
Plan. Image Courtsey of Muhhe Studio
HNS Studio
Master plan. Image Courtsey of Muhhe Studio