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By Moe Godat Leping Social Entrepreneur Headquarters, Beijing, China

People’s Architecture Office, headquartered in Beijing, China, knows the importance of comfort in everyday life; they brought this ideology into their design for Leping Social Entrepreneur Headquarters. The Leping Foundation is a non-profit organization founded and focused on social innovation. Their newly designed office needed to promote a healthy work environment for their own tasks as well as for four of their investing companies, all working in different and diverse fields.

To create an office for “social well-being” as the architects note, they had to find a way to connect the fields of job training, agricultural research, preschool education and microfinance into a cohesive, functional workspace. A central running track with suspended vegetation above ties together each distinct company.

“While intense exercise is mostly disruptive to office work, moderate activity often is not,” the architects write. “Simple activity over a sustained period can be as beneficial as vigorous exercise in promoting brain activity.” This layout provides a connection between each company, promoting conversation and opportunities to incorporate movement into various modes of work, such as walking the track while on a call.

Places

Utilizing indoor plants has been proven to assist mental wellbeing and lessen anxiety or stress; the suspended plant loop also houses an advanced air filtration system to elevate the office’s air quality. Because of Beijing's significant pollution issues, many offices are now employing similar systems to collect indoor air quality and monitor it. Vegetables and aromatic herbs from the activity loop and other hydroponic gardens throughout the office communally harvested and prepared on-site for lunches.

To fur ther mix working and lounging, the “mini mountain” sits at one end of the office space. The “mini mountain” boasts a variety of accommodations to support different postures. Other spaces for specialized activity in the office are a separate gym, meditation space and meeting room.

Overall, the design of Leping headquarters is meant to promote innovative work for social impact, which requires collaboration and interaction while strengthening an employee’s comfort. Social well-being cannot be achieved without taking personal well-being into account first. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

AMINI’S

The Grandee hot tub by Hot Spring comfortably seats a party of seven with enough room for everyone to enjoy state-of-the-art jets, including Watkin’s proprietary Moto-Massage. It’s equipped with a patented, Freshwater Salt System that promotes better physical, mental, and relational wellness. Hot Spring hot tubs—every day made better, only at Amini’s. 636-537-9200, AMINIS.com

SCHMITTEL'S NURSERY

Since 1994, Schmittel’s Nursery has provided a complete solution for all your landscaping needs. Our professional landscape services are second to none, we focus on delivering the highest level of customer service and offer only the absolute finest nursery landscaping products and materials. Our landscaping services include landscape design and landscape installation as well as what is known as hardscape services. Our hardscape services include retaining walls, paved patios, firepits and water garden construction. 314-469-8900, schmittelsnursery.com

Chesterfield Valley Nursery

An outdoor kitchen not only makes a statement but provides a great space for the whole family to enjoy during spring, summer, and fall! From a smaller grill area, to a full package with a custom counter top, outdoor refrigerator, grill, sink and storage space, we can transform your outdoor space into an extension of your home! 636-532-9307, ChesterfieldValleyNursery.com

Classic Metal Craft

An ornamental iron drive gate will look beautiful at the entrance to your home. Call on Classic Metal Craft to design a custom gate just for you that works perfectly for your driveway entrance. Or see the large selection of gate designs shown on our website. We can meet with you in person to discuss or we can provide a budget quote based on photos and measurements provided to us of your driveway entrance. 314-535-2022, classicmetalcraft.com

Forshaw

New at Forshaw is the the Pointe Collection. It's mix of innovative materials includes furnishings built for worry-free enjoyment given the eco-friendly and weather-resistant attributes of each piece. Inspired by mid-century modern design, each piece in this collection is made from solid natural marine-grade teak and UV-resistant resin wicker, the frames strengthened further by the mortise and tenon joinery. The subtle curves and shaping on the arms set this collection apart, as does the way the cushions are designed to fit seamlessly into the curved seat. Forshaw features Pointe and many more beautiful collections as a leader in the outdoor furniture business! 314-993-5570, forshaws.com

DESIGN & DETAIL

We represent the top vendors and offer the best design resources in the industry. Universal Furniture partners with Coastal Living for an outdoor collection that has a casual, sophisticated style. 314-781-3336, designanddetailstl.com

Bauer Falls

Imagine an organic luxury koi pond that sits five feet deep with a floating patio and stairway overlooking a waterfall that pumps 14,000 gallons of water per hour. Imagine a sheet waterfall that dives into a 100 foot split stream and stumbles down vertical fall, tumbling under an artisan bridge. Imagine your backyard bursting with natural springs that fall gently and spill beneath oak and dogwood trees. Bauer Falls recreates nature at its finest. 636-357-3495, BauerFalls.com