Herschel Supply commissioned Linehouse to design their first office in China, located in a residential Shanghai laneway. The site occupies an area where many old residential buildings are being demolished. Houses are stripped, revealing layers of materials, sectionally cut and voids are filled. This process of deconstruction and public vs. private was the driving narrative for the concept of the Herschel office.

Linehouse inserted a black metal framework into the space. Occupying this structure is a lounge area, pantry, meeting room, bathroom and storage. Sectionally, glass divides the different spaces, allowing transparency throughout the enclosure. The surrounding open space operates as the work area.

The structure is lined with perforated and solid corrugated stainless steel. Through the process of revealing and stripping back the lining, parts of the framework are exposed, voids to the ceiling opened up and the concrete walls beyond are expressed. This utilitarian structure is operable, with corrugated sliding doors to the meeting room and pantry that can be closed or opened depending on required privacy.

Approaching the site, half of the house framework leaves a trace on the exterior façade. The surrounding void of the frame is infilled with recycled brick. A raw metal pivoting door leads you to the interior. This operable façade opens to the laneway, blurring the exterior and interior, allowing the interior seating area to be an extension of the streetscape.