故事的最初，做为设计行业从业者，期望在都市生活圈增添一处以茶会友并兼具办公功能的轻型社交空间，辅以我们对陈设美学的见解，为往来个体提供纯碎感官上的非趋同体验。
As an experienced practitioner of the design industry, we have always aspired to create a story. The story begins and ends at a casual space in the bustling busy urban city center. The office space should not only be a place for serious work, but also for a place for friendly mingling.

当我们惊喜的在南京鼓楼区腹地深巷中发现这一处“老服装厂”的时候，便认定这是我们所构想的故事的开始。虽然她隐市秘境，形式上似位隐士，但即便地处闹市，也定能淡然处之。外在川流的市井喧嚣对应内部不疾不徐的宁静，品茗谈笑间沉淀了心境。
We were surprised to discover this old garment manufacturing factory in the deep recesses of a narrow alley in the Gulou District of Nanjing. She is ironically secluded within the well-trafficked downtown area. The space has a serene character that belies her place of residence. We want her inherent calm to diffuse to any visitors that come by.

基于这一原因，在空间结构的塑造上，我们决定充分尊重自然环境，让空间与邻里的生活融合共生，并在内部植入我们对此刻当下的设计感受：需要一种冲突下的平衡，主动克制人为的符号与手法，还原建筑与材料的本真面貌。
In shaping the spatial structure, we decided to fully respect the space’s nature to to integrate the space with the spirit of the neighborhood. To capture the moment, we needed to balance the conflict between our space’s serenity against the cacophony of her surroundings. Against all desires to bring in the new, we wanted to preserve her façade and characteristic. 

入口尽量保持建筑原有结构不做改动，单从视觉引导这一基础需求出发，用内置门洞创造出一个视觉和身体的缓冲区域，入口地面高低错落的景致，承接户外老旧的街景，并与内部当代的审美环境发生关联，两者在此相融遇见，又带有一定时代对话的意味。在这一条对路人来说毫无预期的老街深巷，这个空间的悄然揭面，哪怕只是疾步路过，都会不受控地驻足一探究竟。如果碰巧瞥见了内部空间，无不感受到某种无以名状的反差感带来的惊喜和愉悦。
When a a visitor takes the first step through the gate, it should seems as though transported through a portal to a different dimension – one that is the antithesis of one step prior. The change in scenery is certainly unexpected, although the visitor may still observe from whence they came from the windows. Any passerby will be intrigued and pleased to discover such a portal to transport them to a calm world.

空间内部几乎是完全开放的，融入建筑体块结构。地面材质与立面一脉相承，高度平滑且统一，采用高强度水泥基磨石工艺，似一体成型。通过地面高度层阶的控制，自然形成几个不同的功能分区。当然，地面局部高度的抬升另一关键作用是解决老建筑污水处理方面的遗留问题。在窗边做局部下挖，与抬升区域并不刻意的结合，形成一个独特的下沉社交空间。它打破了常规社交的高度和维度，在这样一个办公为主的大空间内，更显得难能可贵。三五好友围炉而坐，煮上一壶老白茶，回忆过往，笑谈当下。坐在下沉区的定制软垫上，手指所触之处、身背所依之处、目光所及之处，皆是纯粹的、过滤掉一切不必要装饰却充满细节的建筑肌理！
As we delve further, we will see an almost completely open area integrated into the building’s bulk structure. The floor and wall are monolithic – continuous and unified, using high strength cement-based millstone technology. Through the built-in difference in elevation in the floor, the space is conveniently delineated into different functional zones. Another key role of the varied elevation of the floor is to address the lingering problems of the plumbing in older buildings. Even though there is ample space for professional discourse, there is extra room for casual interaction. One could be in an office with co-workers then within a few steps be drinking tea with friends around a fireplace – reminiscing the past and enjoying the present. One can filter out all unnecessary decorations and end up with a minimalist and artistic aesthetic, full of architectural texture. 

原建筑柱面及梁体也保留了土建时的原貌，仅作除尘罩面处理。自然的建筑表皮饱含时代印记，却赋予了新的意义，这是对这座服役数十年的老厂房建筑在当下的致敬。
The original structural support and beams retain the original appearance of the old civil construction, only for dust cover treatment. The outer layer of the building carries a long history, but we have given it new meaning, a tribute to the present of the decades-old factory building.

中心吧台与地面同材同质制模浇筑打磨，苍劲的澳洲杉恰如其分的实现木与石的结合，仿若连同中心吧台一起从建筑表面生长迸发而出，这是对自然力量的最好诠释。在使用功能上，吧台将空间两侧的办公区域有效连接，实现高效的工作沟通，甚至完成简单的下午茶。
The central island bar and the floor are made of the same material, cast from the same stone. The Australian fir on top is an appropriate combination of the elements of wood and stone, which is our interpretation of the power of nature. Functionally, the bar effectively connect the office areas on both side of the space, realizing efficient work communication and even inviting for a relaxing afternoon tea. 

做为以南京为中心成长起来的设计行业从业者，我们对这座城市有着特殊的情感，为此选择了颇具地域特色的长江石点缀景观鱼缸。同时又将长江石这种携带厚重岁月感的暗红色引入墙面，以夯土表皮的形式让其延续呈现。玻璃隔断与夯土下挂墙体，细分了办公区域，间隔却留有余地。
As designers who grew up in the center of Nanjing, we have a special connection to this city. As Nanjing lies on the Yangtze river, we bridge this relationship by bringing a part of the Yangtze into our fish tank in the form of river stones. The Yangtze river stones bring a deep red, inciting a heavy sense of age into the walls and present in the form of rammed earth wall. Glass partition and hanging dividers subdivide the office area but gives the feeling of having more space than what exists.

南侧原有的破旧窗棚经过改造，实现了室内与室外自然的互通，甚至为室内生竹提供了最基础的条件。这也让光成为空灵的建筑内在，存在于建筑细部。正午时分，湿润的空气与温暖的阳光透过天窗，爬进室内，铺洒在斑驳原生的柱面，这斑驳仿佛能挂住风，倾泄在平滑质朴的地面，这平滑仿佛能让光延绵流淌。这韵味让所有墙体都跟着轻盈了起来。来到傍晚，伏案工作偶然抬头捕获的那一缕夕照，还原了生活的初衷。
The existing skylight has been repurposed to realize the interflow between indoor and outdoor so that the bamboo inside the space may thrive. This also infuses the ethereal light into the soul of our serene lady. At high noon, the warm sunlight enters through the skylights and mixes with the moist atmosphere. As the air mixture flows, so does the light. This charm lights up the walls. Come evening, the sunset raises our heads from our desks and brings a second wind to remind us of more of life to enjoy.

陈设方面也尽量克制，配合建筑体块，仅在留白的间隙，置入精致小器。山石草木、流水池鱼，相互铺陈。
The minimal displays of decorations match the simplicity of the white space. Rocks, vegetation, fish tank – they need no other to shine.

简约并非舍弃细节，反而愈要更加精心地雕刻细节，这也是故事的最后所表达的结果。
Simplicity is not to give up the attention to detail, but to focus on the minutiae. And thus end the story.