The Headquarter Base of Shanghai AILU Group

Shanghai AILU Group, a globally renowned manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging, began in the field of industrial paper packaging. Its new headquarters space takes its core business, papermaking, as the design theme, achieving a diverse yet unified spatial experience through the functional combination of the first and second floors (public reception + employee relaxation + business display). This design logic serves external visitors, meets employee needs, and reflects the company’s professional image, with all functional areas operating cohesively under a clear design concept.
The core inspiration stems from the company’s primary business, industrial paper, combined with the client’s preference for curved elements. The designer captured the dynamic imagery of paper fluttering and dancing in the wind, abstracting it into numerous curved and arc-shaped forms, all derived from the visual language of paper itself.
In the initial planning stage, the entire double-height space was divided into two floors, making the overall ceiling height feel somewhat constrained. To address this, the designer extended the concept of paper to create an abstract arc-shaped, open-cutout design. Under these spatial conditions, this design effectively compensates for the low ceiling height while leveraging the advantage of the laterally expansive site. It also creates richer visual layering, a sense of rhythm, and relative privacy, despite the interconnected spaces, the conversation and relaxation areas maintain a degree of psychological seclusion due to partial screening. Additionally, these open-cutout structures visually resemble artistically rendered “tree hollows”, intriguingly aligning with the concept of “paper.” The second floor’s overall arc-shaped design evokes the feeling of a person opening their arms in a welcoming embrace, conveying warmth and approachability while enhancing the space’s inviting atmosphere.
The overall ambiance leans toward a natural style, akin to paper derived from nature. For instance, the use of travertine-textured art paint in white and light wood tones establishes a foundation for a relaxed, natural feel. Simultaneously, the designer incorporated the brand’s signature chocolate brown color, which maintains a cohesive brand experience atop the natural, relaxed ambiance while fostering employees’ sense of belonging.