Earlier, the popularity of the legal season of "Heart-throb Offer" brought "elite Chinese law firms"—the top-tier circle in the legal industry—into the public spotlight. As a benchmark among these elite firms, Jingtian & Gongcheng showcased the professional expertise of its mentoring lawyers and the passionate, forward-striving spirit of its trainees, establishing itself as a guiding light in their career paths for countless law students. This has sparked public fascination with the day-to-day work of legal professionals.

For those of us watching from behind the screen, while we yearn for the rigorous and professional glory of this career, we can’t help but wonder: in reality, what kind of style is hidden within the office spaces of elite Chinese law firms? Now, this curiosity finally has a tangible answer—Jingtian & Gongcheng’s Chongqing branch has officially opened, perched high on the 36th floor of the Raffles City complex. This "heart-throb office" overlooking the two rivers was fully designed and constructed by PPCG. Today, let’s take a virtual tour together to unlock the code of quality in the office spaces of elite law firms and see how PPCG interprets the symbiosis of quality and warmth through design and construction.

270° Panoramic River-View Lobby: Bringing the "Convergence of Two Rivers" into the Office

Stepping into Jingtian & Gongcheng's Chongqing office, the two elegantly flowing curved lines in the reception lobby immediately command attention. The PPCG design team fully leveraged the exceptional advantages of the 36th-floor height, drawing inspiration from Chongqing's geographical context—its "mountains, waters, and the confluence of two rivers." The rhythmic flow of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers was translated into the core design language of the space, seamlessly merging regional character with elevated vistas.

To address the challenge of the entrance being offset from the optimal axis for river views, the design team employed curved lines as the solution. The sweeping arc of the pathway naturally extends from the entrance, guiding movement like a flowing river toward the 270° panoramic river vista. This approach not only overcomes the inherent spatial constraints but also imbues the circulation path with a strong sense of ceremony. The same curvilinear design elegantly demarcates the lobby, large and small meeting rooms, and reception areas, creating clear and functional zoning without any sense of rigid separation.

The meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass partitions serve as the tour de force of the design. By dissolving visual barriers, they extend an invitation to natural light and river views indoors. Inside these spaces, during discussions on professional matters, one can look up to witness the majestic scene of the two rivers surging forward and boats dotting the waters. This experience of "gaining perspective from great heights" subtly mirrors Jingtian & Gongcheng’s professional ethos—deep expertise in the legal field paired with a broad, visionary outlook.

The flowing curved-line design not only pays homage to Chongqing's local culture but also evokes the firm's brand character—accessible and enduring as river waters. While rooted in Chongqing, it resonates with the city's pulse; in serving clients, it connects global resources with a worldwide perspective.

In the central area of the lobby, a freestanding island-style reception counter serves as the visual focal point, breaking away from the conventional placement of front desks against walls in traditional office spaces and infusing the area with renewed dynamism.

Crafted from Roman travertine, this reception counter boasts a warm and substantial texture, exuding the steadfast and dignified presence of a riverbed stone. It functions not only as the visual core of the space but also as a "spiritual anchor" that embodies the brand’s essence. The design team thoughtfully incorporated a dual-sided circulation layout, allowing visitors to seamlessly proceed to the leisure waiting areas on either side upon arrival, eliminating the need to linger at the entrance

The waiting area by the window elevates the "experience" to its fullest. Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the confluence of the two rivers through the floor-to-ceiling glass, watching the breeze over the water and the ever-changing clouds. What could have been mundane waiting time is transformed into a serene moment of scenic appreciation, showcasing the firm’s humanistic care and refined taste

If the island counter serves as the "visible highlight" of the space, then the coordinated design of the flooring and ceiling acts as a "hidden delight" in the details—consistently woven together through the "language of water," lending the space a dynamic and expansive texture.

The curved elements extend from the floor to the ceiling, creating visual continuity: the white terrazzo flooring echoes the white ceiling in corresponding areas, reminiscent of the merging of river surfaces and sky light. The warm wood veneer flows seamlessly from the walls to the ceiling, softening the coolness of the stone and infusing the space with warmth. The gradient water-patterned carpet naturally delineates business zones, reinforcing the "two rivers" design concept while adding functional layering to the space—showcasing meticulous craftsmanship in every detail.

Efficient Modern Workplace: Enhancing Productivity Through Spatial Design

Moving deeper along the circulation path, the open work area seamlessly blends efficiency and comfort. Every design detail revolves around "people" and "work," achieving a mutual enhancement of space and productivity.

The tea station continues the gentle tone of the overall space, with soft colors and comfortable proportions. Free from excessive ornamentation, it serves as an "emotional decompression zone" for professionals. After a tense negotiation or drafting a lengthy legal document, brewing a cup of tea here while gazing at the expansive river view allows fatigue to dissipate quietly amid nature and tranquility.

Conclusion: 

Located on the 36th floor of Raffles City, this new office space eschews opulent ornamentation in favor of a restrained and minimalist design language. It seamlessly integrates Chongqing’s regional culture, the natural beauty of its river views, and the professional ethos of a law firm. Here, every curve, every window, and every detail speaks to the vision of an ideal workplace—one that balances a rigorous professional environment with the warmth and comfort of thoughtfully designed spaces.

From "Heart-throb Offer" to "Heart-throb Office," PPCG has taken this project as an opportunity to deepen its expertise in designing office spaces for the legal industry. With professional design capabilities and refined craftsmanship, PPCG is committed to creating workspaces that blend quality, human-centered warmth, and distinct brand character for more clients—crafting spaces that articulate brand values.

Project Name | Indoor Decoration Project for Jingtian & Gongcheng (Chongqing) Law Firm, Beijing

Location | Chongqing,China

Area | 792㎡

Design | PPCG

Construction | PPCG

Team | Eric,Weifeng Zhang，Mao Huang，Mia，Zhaotian Zhou