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mtm Skincare Taikoo Li

mtm Skincare Taikoo Li

Chengdu

More Design Office’s new treatment spa for Hong Kong based mtm Skincare is a hidden gem accessed via a gently curving feature stair.
Situated in Chengdu’s Taikoo Li, the 400sqm spa has 2 main functions, a retail-orientated ground floor where customers can have their skin analysied by mtm’s consultants who can recommend custom-made skin products.  On the 2nd floor is expansive treatment area where the clients can receive facial treatments and massage.
As part of mtm’s China presence MDO developed a new store for the concept which highlights the scientific and bespoke nature to mtm’s service.  Referring to the brand’s Japanese origins, the new palette is neutral in colour, with natural materials of stone and timber carefully detailed, and focus on space and boundaries.
The guests meet with the consultants in specially design booths where their skin can be analyzed. The process is open, but privacy is achieved by a series of layers which draw reference from the Japanese screen (Koshi) 格子.
The two functions of retail and treatment are separated vertically.  The feature stair becomes the boundary and transition space organizing public/private, fast/slow, clinical/spa.
As guests climb the stair the ceiling folds over and the walls are lit by hidden uplights creating a warm and comforting environment.  The second floor spaces are lit with just floor washers which graze the lower walls to create a Zen like experience, taking the visitors far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Area: 1400sqm
Status: completed 2014

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Little Bean Roasters

Little Bean Roasters

Shanghai

MDO were the executive architects for a concept designed by Design Office from Melbourne. The project’s focus is a series of circular seating areas which connect the ground floor café to the 1st floor coffee school. These objects are finished in a quality polished terrazzo which were the result of extensive testing and mock-up trials.

Area: 500sqm
Status: completed 2015

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The Folding Apartment

The Folding Apartment

Shanghai

Finding an affordable apartment in the center of any city is very difficult. Usually compromises need to be made and in this case we bought an apartment with poor daylight, but a great location and a plan we could reconfigure.
We wanted two key things from the apartment – a sense of space, of openness, and on the other hand, privacy.  In a small apartment these two requirements are usually at odds.
We achieved them by organizing the functions from public to private and then folding them around a central spine wall.  The spaces are kept deliberately open but privacy is achieved by controlling the view vistas, and through a series of translucent glass doors which allow daylight to penetrate through the apartment.  This move also allows the northeast facing living room to receive light from the bedroom window during the day.
On the bedroom side of the spine wall it is finished with upholstered fabric to give a close acoustic environment. The opposite side of the wall is clad with full height mirror, useful for dressing and helps to expand the sense of space in the hallway, doubling the perceived area.
In order to maximize storage space and to facilitate moving the WC and washing machine, the floor level changes through the design.  The living room steps down from the hallway creating more height, whilst the bedroom is accessed via 3 steps which gives a more intimate environment, whilst creating much needed storage space under the bed. The steps also double as informal seating when we have guests.
The Folded Apartment is situated in the heart of Shanghai’s French Concession, on the 2nd floor of a 1930’s lane house and looks onto a leafy street. It was designed and built by MDO in 2014/15

Area: 51sqm
Status: completed 2015