Lao Ding Feng Beijing: Adaptive Reuse of Historic Pastry Brand Headquarters

Located near Beijing’s Northeast 5th Ring Road, the Lao Ding Feng project by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office transforms a historic 1911 warehouse into a dynamic retail, gallery, and office complex. Originally part of an industrial district with the Langyuan Station for cotton textile transport, the building’s brick structure: including a main warehouse, three annexes, and a courtyard garden, was meticulously preserved while new architectural interventions were introduced.

The design concept draws inspiration from Lao Ding Feng’s traditional Chinese pastries, where the container shapes the contents. A sculpted cast concrete insertion was introduced within the existing brick shell, creating interconnected retail, exhibition, café, and office spaces. The concrete surfaces are bush-hammered to achieve a soft texture, contrasting yet harmonizing with the original brickwork. Certain elements of the new concrete extend to the exterior, subtly signaling new access points while respecting the heritage façade. Interstitial spaces between old and new structures encourage fluid circulation, fostering a connection between the site’s industrial past and its contemporary cultural identity.

The ground floor hosts exhibition areas, the flagship store, café, and garden, while the second floor accommodates the brand’s headquarters. Through this sensitive adaptive reuse, Neri&Hu offers Lao Ding Feng a renewed home that celebrates both history and modern design.

All photographs are works of  Runzi Zhu