A remarkable study space suspended high above Nanjing's bustling Xinjiekou district has redefined the concept of urban learning environments. The Yixing Study Space, designed by Atelier d'More, occupies 208 square meters on the upper floors of an office tower, creating what architects describe as a "spiritual vessel" that engages in quiet dialogue with the city below. The project, completed in 2025, demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can transform conventional educational spaces into inspiring sanctuaries for contemporary urbanites.

The moment visitors push open the glass door, the cacophony of city life instantly fades away, revealing an organic system masterfully woven from birch wood, fabric, and carefully orchestrated lighting. The architects at Atelier d'More, led by design team members Le Sheng, Wei Wang, and Yixuan Zuo in collaboration with Xuanji Design, have reconstructed the traditional learning space through an innovative architectural lens. The result is a symphony of spatial narrative and bodily perception that floats more than a hundred meters above ground level.

The centerpiece of the space is a floating lantern-like installation that serves as the spiritual totem of the entire environment. This digitally designed fixture, crafted from birch plywood with finely detailed mortise and tenon joints, hovers quietly overhead like a beacon of knowledge. The wooden framework remains partially hidden behind fabric, creating a breathing quality as light passes through the semi-transparent material. During daylight hours, sunlight gently filters through the gaps between wood and fabric, casting richly layered shadows across the study desks in patterns that are both agile and poetic.

As evening approaches, the installation transforms into something even more magical. Warm artificial light seeps through the semi-transparent curtains, tinting the ceiling with a soft, amber glow that resembles a floating dream. This suspended lighting fixture transcends its functional role as an illumination system to become a spiritual symbol of the space itself. The shadow projections it creates undergo a gradual transformation from solid to ethereal over the course of a 12-hour solar cycle, marking the passage of time in a uniquely contemplative way.

The vertical design of the space creates an engaging climbing path that maximizes the use of available area while enriching the spatial experience. The architects strategically placed stacked functional zones in areas with minimal overhead obstructions, allowing multiple three-dimensional boxes to be interspersed within the study zone. This innovative approach increases usable space without sacrificing the sense of openness that makes the environment so conducive to learning and reflection.

Perhaps the most striking feature is the meditation pod, reached by climbing a ladder that leads to what the architects call a "spiritual realm." This capsule-like space accommodates both lying and sitting positions and features a transparent retractable desk at the far end. From this elevated perch, users can gaze over the city's arterial network from high above, experiencing a profound sense of detachment and perspective that enhances contemplation and study.

The project's technical solutions are as thoughtful as its aesthetic ones. To minimize costs while preserving ceiling height, the team installed partial drop ceilings only in areas containing HVAC and ventilation ducts, integrating most of the hidden infrastructure into these strategic sections. This approach ensured a clean, exposed look for the remaining ceiling surfaces while maintaining functionality. The carefully composed wooden ceiling modules establish new visual relationships with interior elements, and their deliberate separation from the original ceiling enhances the overall sense of levitating lightness.

Constraints often spark the most evocative designs, and this project exemplifies that principle. To diminish the visual impact of horizontal fire sprinkler pipes that could not be moved, the architects custom-designed wooden light fixtures that attach directly to the pipes. Arranged in systematic arrays, these fixtures cleverly transform the intrusive piping into structural rods that link the lights, turning a functional necessity into an aesthetic statement that enhances rather than detracts from the space.

The 12-seat communal table in the high-decibel zone showcases another innovative solution. The designers created a square central column that handles all wiring needs while also supporting cantilevered lighting troughs. Each cantilever features a detachable screen mechanism with a slit running through the center of each side to hang privacy screens, offering users the flexibility to open or close visual lines between opposite seats depending on their need for interaction or privacy.

Beyond its functional capabilities, the Yixing Study Space serves as an emotional amplifier that touches visitors on a deeper level. The most meaningful aspect of the project lies in its construction process: the attachment of fabric to the wooden frames was completed by the owner's family themselves. This "participatory construction" approach endows the non-standard details with genuine warmth, transcending cold mechanization to become vessels of personal memory and connection.

As the space continues to evolve with use, the fabric gradually absorbs traces of its users, allowing the environment to transform from a designed object into a living entity. This organic evolution ensures that the Yixing Study Space will continue to develop its own character and atmosphere, making it not just a place to study, but a community gathering point that reflects the lives and aspirations of those who use it. The project stands as a testament to how thoughtful architecture can create spaces that nurture both intellectual growth and spiritual well-being in our increasingly urbanized world.