Arch2O.com

Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine
The 339,000 square-foot Microsoft Suzhou Technology Center is a bright, energetic space anchored by a colorful nine-story atrium and a flexible workplace for up to 1,500 workers. It was inspired by China?s famous Suzhou Gardens and its caretakers, who believe in creating a space in perfect harmony with nature. The office boasts a huge cafeteria and ample recreational space, including an indoor gym, game room, outdoor sports courts, and health and wellness space.
Courtesy of PDM International
The team?s goal was to create a stunning, eye-catching design, one that emphasized Microsoft?s connected way of working and could help the company attract the best talent.
Courtesy of PDM International ?The key metaphor driving the interior design concept was connectivity,? Julius Kanand Director at interior design firm PDM says. That theme grew out of the nine-story building and its large atrium, which is connected by a central staircase and bridge crossings on four floors.
Courtesy of PDM International
The design team tapped into the rich heritage of Suzhou, a trading port famous for its classically designed gardens that date back to the 6th century BC. Suzhou boasts nine ?Mountain and Water? gardens that are noted for their exquisite craftsmanship, artistic elegance, and rich cultural implications. A tenet of the design is creating a space in perfect harmony with nature, adding greenery where possible, installing a small gar...