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In recent years, the popularity of remote work has presented companies with a pressing reality: how to encourage employees to return to the office and be productive, build connections, and spark creativity in this environment?
Growing research shows that employee expectations of office spaces are changing. In addition to functionality, a sense of nature, flexibility, and belonging have become new focal points. The emerging desire for “the twenty-minute park effect” indicates that the design philosophy behind modern offices is also evolving.
The NOVAH Shanghai Innovation Lab is a space created precisely in response to this trend. It’s not merely a product showroom, but rather a deep exploration of future work possibilities—by integrating natural elements, ecological landscapes, and smart technologies, it seeks to answer the question: what kind of space truly supports modern work?
The NOVAH Shanghai Innovation Lab is located in a creative park that was transformed from the former Shanghai No.1 Machine Tool Plant, serving as one of the more mature examples of industrial heritage regeneration in urban renewal projects. The park retains the old factory’s red brick facade and original structural system, preserving the city's memory while also providing a foundation for subsequent green renovations.
This revitalization of existing buildings represents a significant trend in today's office space sector. Studies by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicate that renovation projects can achieve a 30% to 50% reduction in carbon emissions by optimizing operational energy consumption and avoiding embodied carbon from new construction. On this basis, NOVAH has further introduced green materials and low-carbon processes, making the spatial renewal more sustainable.
The rugged character of industrial style contrasts with the softness of natural elements, infusing the space with unique aesthetic tension. The exhibition hall fully leverages the advantages of its loft high-ceiling structure to create an open and layered spatial framework. An elegantly shaped staircase connects the upper and lower floors, enhancing spatial interactivity and promoting interpersonal communication opportunities. The “Cloud Meeting Room,” suspended above the atrium, breaks through traditional spatial boundaries with its transparent views, becoming a symbolically significant design element within the exhibition hall.
Studies show that natural lighting can extend employees' focus time by 18% and improve work efficiency by more than 15% (Heschong Mahone Group, 2023). Therefore, NOVAH has adopted "light and nature" as a core strategy for stress reduction and performance enhancement.
The NOVAH Innovation Lab maximizes the introduction of natural light through skylights, large glass curtain walls, and light-shadow simulation technology. Sunlight filters through the outlines of greenery, casting dappled shadows on the floor, endowing the space with a sense of breath and a natural rhythm.
The vertical green walls not only create an immersive natural atmosphere but also serve the function of purifying the air. Plant selections emphasize low maintenance and high functionality—such as ferns—that combine aesthetics with practicality. These green elements are not merely decorative accents; they actively participate in emotional regulation and cognitive support within the space.
Faced with the growing demand for low-carbon solutions in the corporate world, NOVAH has made “sustainable materials” a central theme throughout the entire design process of its Shanghai Innovation Lab.
Eco-friendly wheat straw boards are used as stair cladding — offering a warm, textured appearance with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional wood; Walls with natural textures cover large areas of the space, conveying a deep respect for the authenticity of materials; Recyclable metal mesh ceilings are applied in the dining area, meeting acoustic requirements while clearly expressing an environmental message.
These material choices go beyond visual aesthetics; they represent NOVAH’s firm commitment to the concept of a “green closed-loop.” Through effective lifecycle management of materials, the overall carbon emissions of the Innovation Lab have been notably reduced compared to similar projects.
The office space of the future should not be a one-time investment, but rather a dynamic ecosystem that adapts to change, fosters collaboration, and sparks innovation.
Centered around the three dimensions of "community ecological scenario simulation," "modular solutions," and "smart office systems," the NOVAH Shanghai Innovation Lab has built a flexible and efficient office space model.
The exhibition hall features diverse settings such as open work areas, collaboration corners, and informal lounges that naturally encourage employee interaction and gathering. This community-based layout not only improves information flow but also strengthens internal cohesion and a sense of belonging within the organization.
NOVAH employs a furniture system including movable partitions, flexible workstations, and modular sofa sets, breaking away from the limitations of single-function spaces. The space can be quickly reconfigured according to team tasks, minimizing renovation costs and resource waste.
Equipped with the Effice smart office system, the exhibition hall enables intelligent reservation and allocation of workstations and storage spaces. Through data-driven space management, it effectively reduces vacancy rates and energy consumption, improving overall operational efficiency.
The NOVAH Shanghai Innovation Lab is not merely a display space — it is a profound exploration into the possibilities of future office environments. Through biophilic design, the use of sustainable materials, smart technology integration, and modular spatial strategies, NOVAH is striving to create a new paradigm of office space that better meets employees' needs and supports organizational growth.
Today’s office space is no longer just a place to get work done — it has evolved into a comprehensive environment that inspires creativity, fosters collaboration, and enhances well-being. NOVAH believes that a sustainable future for offices is not a distant ideal, but an achievable reality within reach.
We sincerely invite you to visit the NOVAH Shanghai Innovation Lab — to personally touch the textures of materials, immerse yourself in the energy and inspiration brought by light and nature, and deeply experience how a flexible and diverse spatial model empowers both individuals and teams. Join us in exploring human-centered, adaptable, and efficient office solutions, and take a step forward toward a biophilic, nature-embracing workplace.
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