Merit Interactive Headquarters

Design Team：LYCS Architecture
Size：87000 m²   
Location：Hangzhou, China

​

Feature：

Project - Soaring like a breaching whale, the Merit Interactive Headquarters in Hangzhou, China, is a striking landmark designed by LYCS Architecture. Spanning over 87,000 square meters, the office complex houses research and development, workspaces, conference facilities, exhibition halls, and leisure amenities for up to 5,000 occupants. The design concept of "the giant whale leaping out of the ocean" is evident in the building's dynamic, sculptural form. Three towers are arranged in a wraparound layout, connected by an expansive podium that creates a continuous, adaptable indoor environment for collaborative work. The podium's undulating roof provides a diverse array of social and recreational spaces, while the towers' staggered heights introduce visual interest to the skyline. Inspired by the client's "whale" logo, the facade features a distinctive pattern of diagonal elements and trapezoidal windows that shimmer with a fish-scale-like vitality as the sun's angle changes. Internal spaces are imbued with a sense of openness and integration, thanks to the design team's innovative "theme color sky insertion system" and the strategic placement of whiteboard walls for impromptu discussions. By seamlessly merging the building's architecture, interior, and landscape, LYCS Architecture has created a vibrant, forward-thinking headquarters that reflects Merit Interactive's dynamic company culture and enhances employee well-being.

​

Design Team - Founded in 2011, LYCS Architecture has rapidly established itself as a leading multidisciplinary design firm in China. Recognized as the Best Innovative Design Firm by BUILD Magazine and one of ArchDaily's Top 10 Avant-garde Design Firms in China, the practice is known for its innovative and technologically advanced approach to architectural, interior, and exhibition design. Headed by a team of design professionals with international experience and a strong local design sensibility, LYCS Architecture excels at creating spaces that cater to the unique needs and behaviors of users in high-density urban environments. Their design process is research-driven and highly collaborative, drawing on expertise from various fields to deliver creative solutions that push the boundaries of contemporary design typologies. With a diverse portfolio spanning office and headquarters, education, residential, hospitality, cultural, and commercial projects, LYCS Architecture has consistently demonstrated its ability to create functional yet aesthetically engaging spaces that enhance the user experience. By applying advanced technologies and sustainable design strategies, the firm is at the forefront of shaping the future of architecture and urban development in China.