Rich in Subtleties: One Three Photography Studio in Beijing by Nothing Design.

In Beijing’s 2049 Cultural and Creative Park stands a spacious, breathtaking photography studio that will leave patrons spoiled for choice. Designed by Nothing Design, a former masonry building is transformed into One Three (characterised as 1/3), embraced with textural vintage details.

Occupying some 500 square metres, One Three interior transforms a photography studio to mimic an artist’s home. Through a bespoke square door at the timber-clad entrance reveals a spacious living area. The heart of the lobby is grounded by a unique tiered beige couch, selected for its unique tiered crossed shape as a prop and tool for the photographer.

Wooden chairs with peculiar backings prop themselves around the walls, ready to be used as props while offering the essence of symmetry and balance. Additionally, stainless steel is frequently used to cut through the vintage aesthetic opted for the studio. These elements are implemented on surrounding lamps, the office table, and the corner staircase adjacent to the cream couch.

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Across the main entrance is an office space with change facilities resemblant of a tea parlour through the arrangement of weird and wonderful geometric furniture. Separated by an existing wall with exposed bricks rendered in white, the office and amenities are enveloped by walls painted in chocolate brown, a colour that continues up towards the ceiling and structural beams; a wall rests an antique gold folded screen, gently reflecting light to echo a softer ambience. The screen, made of aged silver foil, harmonises with the stainless-steel elements that offer “(a)new combination of (Chinese) and modern” aesthetics.

Where it is moodier below, above presents a lighter and open space from the numerous windows punctured through the walls. At the foot of the top landing, Nothing Design opts for black timber flooring, while walls and ceiling (that includes the existing trusses) are painted in cream. Former windows are replaced with lattice ones, with light linen curtain filtering above. Where the ground floor is rather open, the furniture set out on the first floor is rather intimate, with a living and a bedroom in each space.

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Rather than using stainless steel for furnishing, the continuous use of geometric and block-like timber furniture is spaced around the implied living areas. The introduction of travertine in different sediment layers and stone patterns is also selected to offer a sense of warmth to the photography studio.

Conscious of materiality and subtleties, Nothing Design implements a delicate thread between vintage and contemporary elements of Chinese culture laced in between. One Three Photography Studio is a charming space to occupy and work within, making it another unique addition to the creative district.

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[Images courtesy of Nothing Design. Photography by Li Ming & Videography by WM Studio.]