This Five-storey Office Features a Suspended Conference Capsule, Prototype Workshop and Raised R&D Lab.

Following their impressive MAX Show Office in Hangzhou, Ippolito Fleitz Group has delivered another workplace showcase in China—this time for the historic port city of Ningbo, where centuries of adaptation have shaped a culture of innovation.

Ningbo has spent centuries learning to adapt. As one of China’s major port cities, it has consistently responded to political and economic shifts with resilience and forward thinking. For the MAX Zone Technology Park, Ippolito Fleitz Group has channelled that spirit into a combined show office and sales centre that moves beyond the static office model.

The show office spans five floors and 930 square metres, presenting a clear vision for contemporary work. The lobby makes an immediate impact—linear structures across the floor and ceiling draw the eye toward reception, while above, a suspended conference capsule floats dramatically overhead, symbolic of the fact ideas happen through dialogue and exchange.

One level up, a prototype workshop equipped with 3D printers illustrates how concepts evolve into products through iterative, collaborative processes. The research and development floor follows, organised around a raised laboratory platform with workstations docked seamlessly around it. The arrangement reinforces just how closely teamwork and innovation operate together.

The fourth floor demonstrates adaptability through flexible spatial modules and hybrid-use areas. Spaces and teams can shift quickly as requirements change—a practical response to how modern businesses actually operate. At the top, the executive level interprets leadership through an Asian cultural lens. Partition walls and room dividers balance openness with privacy, while a hotel-inspired design language creates a calm, welcoming atmosphere. A tea room and lounges provide settings for both formal meetings and informal conversations.

The 474-square-metre sales centre takes a different approach entirely. Drawing on the elegance of traditional Chinese courtyards, it reimagines symmetry and order through a contemporary lens. Double-height partition walls greet visitors at the entrance, guiding them on an almost ceremonial journey through the space. Undulating leather-clad walls divide distinct functional zones, while pivot doors open unexpected sightlines, transforming exploration into an immersive experience.

Together, these spaces demonstrate how workplace design can honour heritage while embracing what comes next.

Ippolito Fleitz Group Designs a Next-Gen Workplace in China's E-Commerce Capital.

The 2,200 square metre show office is designed to prove that work environments can be smarter, more flexible and a whole lot more interesting, while meeting the evolving expectations of a younger workforce.

[Images courtesy of Ippolito Fleitz Group. Photography by Zhu Di.]