Terracotta Screen Blocks in the Majorel Changzhou Office

The Majorel China call-centre office in Changzhou shows how an open clay screen can divide a workplace without behaving like a solid partition. Repeated reddish units form a strong geometric backdrop around the front-of-house area, bringing a warm material layer to an otherwise industrial palette. Light, views and movement remain perceptible through the openings, so the wall contributes to both spatial identity and orientation.

Published project descriptions identify Architecture Farm as the designer and describe a workplace of approximately 2,100 m² for more than 300 employees. A tall reception zone and spiral stair organise the arrival experience. This article discusses the screen-wall principles visible in that project; it should not be read as a claim that LOPO supplied the original components.

The material contrast is part of the result. Reddish clay sits against exposed services, dark metal, glass and pale floor surfaces, softening the industrial setting without concealing it. Because the screen remains visually porous, the stair and activity behind it continue to animate the arrival sequence instead of becoming a separate enclosed room.

A screen wall can organise space without closing it

In an office, a full-height opaque partition can make reception, waiting and circulation areas feel separate. A perforated clay wall establishes a boundary but still allows people to sense activity beyond it. The repeated module also provides a consistent visual scale across curved or extended wall sections.

The degree of separation depends on opening size, unit depth, wall angle, background lighting and the observer’s position. Privacy should therefore be evaluated from the actual approach routes and seated eye levels. If acoustic separation is required, an open screen alone is not a substitute for a tested enclosure.

Pattern and rotation create the architectural character

The Changzhou project uses a directional, M-like or chevron reading. Repetition turns a single modest unit into a larger graphic field. Rotating the same shape can create stripes, diamonds or alternating bands, but too many changes may weaken the clarity of the wall. Drawings should identify the starting datum, unit orientation, joint width and treatment at edges and openings.

A physical panel is more informative than a small product photograph. It reveals cumulative tolerances, joint colour, the view through the wall and the shadow cast by the profile. For custom colours or shapes, confirm feasibility, tooling, minimum quantity and production samples before the design is frozen.

Where a wall curves, the designer should set a practical faceting or joint strategy rather than forcing units into an assumed radius. The support line, end cuts and changing gap width need to be visible in the mock-up and coordinated with the structural frame.

Light, shadow and airflow are project outcomes

Openings admit light and allow local air movement, but the actual result depends on orientation, climate, surrounding construction and mechanical systems. In an interior, the main benefit may be visual permeability and moving shadow rather than measurable ventilation. On an exterior screen, the architect should model solar exposure and coordinate the jali layer with glazing, waterproofing and maintenance access.

Depth matters. A shallow opening reads more directly from several angles, while a deeper profile can limit oblique views and cast stronger shadows. Background colour and illumination can make the same pattern appear more open or more solid. These variables belong in the mock-up review, not only in the product-selection stage.

Supporting construction must be designed for the wall

Terracotta jali units are non-load-bearing screen elements. The responsible architect or engineer must design the frame, lateral restraint, anchors, joints, edge conditions and movement strategy for the intended wall height and exposure. Interior screens still require checks for stability, impact, circulation clearances and safe termination at floors and ceilings.

Exterior applications add wind, rain, corrosion, freeze-thaw conditions where relevant, drainage and facade fire requirements. Units should not be stacked to an arbitrary height based on an interior photograph. Installation drawings must establish tolerances, sequence, temporary support and inspection points.

Specify the module, colour and installation together

• Identify the preferred pattern, intended rotation and required degree of visual openness.
• Confirm current dimensions, joint width, colour, surface and acceptable sample range.
• Provide wall height, location, exposure, supporting-frame concept and edge conditions.
• State required calculations, tests, certificates, mock-ups and local code criteria.
• Calculate pieces from the approved module and include cutting, breakage and maintenance stock.
• Coordinate packing labels and delivery sequence with installation zones.

The current LOPO terracotta jali block page presents complete, uncropped pattern and colour references for selection. Related built applications can be reviewed in the architectural terracotta project gallery. For independent project context, see the published Majorel Changzhou office feature.