Prioritising innovation and technology in a culturally influenced workplace
Following the transformation of Shanghai’s Yangpu District, known for its strong industrial heritage, the Accenture Greater China Digital Hub was established in the Changyang Campus, bringing high technology and innovative resources to Yangpu.
Occupying two entire floors, the space has been designed to help Accenture’s local enterprise clients reinvent products and services, reimagine business models, industrialise innovations at speed and achieve new levels of efficiency.
Project highlights
1. Incorporating Shanghai identity to create an unforgettable experience for visitors from across the globe and bring to life Accenture’s vision to be “based in Shanghai, impacting the Yangtze River Delta, and rooted in China”;
2. Reflecting innovation, technology and digital leadership by introducing five immersive touchpoints;
3. Encouraging collaboration and creating an emotionally connected workplace by offering unassigned seating and diverse working arrangements.
Emphasising Shanghai identity by evoking “Longtang”
The design concept interweaves elements of “Longtang” - a typical community residence in Shanghai - with distinct industrial features. “Longtang” has been selected to represent Shanghai’s architectural legacy and its resemblance to the workplace, where a broad range of activities take place.
Featuring vintage-textured floor tiles resembling the stone pavement of the “Longtang” and semi-transparent acrylic panels hanging down from the ceiling to form virtual open sky, the elevator hall immerses users in the “Longtang” experience. Facing the elevator is a 100-inch digital screen displaying Accenture’s branded graphics and videos that set expectations for the rest of the space.
Behind the concierge counter stands a wall that transforms from traditional “Longtang” bricks at the west end, to stainless steel bricks at the east end, creating a historical journey and futuristic aesthetic.
The building’s exposed steel structure has been retained to elevate the industrial look-and-feel, while carpets, finishes, and materials common to “Longtang” environments are used throughout to bring to life the Shanghai experience.
Reflecting innovation, technology and digital leadership
The Accenture Greater China Digital Hub is the main pillar of the company’s global innovation framework. A key objective was therefore to create an efficient workplace that reflects innovation, technology, and digital leadership. To achieve this, five immersive touchpoints have been holistically designed: the Welcome Area, the Briefing Room, the Digital Twins, the Design Thinking and the Liquid Studio.
Activating collaboration in a creative environment
Inaccessible by elevator, the upper floor, which serves as the main workspace for Accenture’s staff, is connected to the lower level via a steel-structure staircase. By linking the two floors together, a new people flow is created to encourage chance encounters and spontaneous dialogues.
Unassigned seating is embraced in this open plan environment. The workbenches stretch out like antennae and their angular shapes complement the rounded, overhead light strips, balancing aesthetics with functionality. The mixture of irregularly shaped workbenches, height adjustable desks and bar tables enhance visual connectivity among users, creating an emotionally connected workplace.
Functional spaces such as conference rooms, focus rooms, and print rooms are spread out across the floor to increase human movement. Couches and lounge chairs have been placed deliberately where people flows collide, inspiring informal conversations, purposeful collisions or collaboration. These spaces continue to sustain the “Longtang” spirit, characterised by liveliness, chance encounters, flexibility, and community.
The design of the Accenture Greater China Digital Hub takes inspiration from local culture to reflect a vision for “global innovation in Shanghai”. Open and diverse work settings enhance performance and promote collaboration, supporting Accenture’s goal to position as “a trusted partner to Chinese enterprises seeking digital transformation”.
