Designed by LYCS Architecture, the Spruce Art Center recently commenced construction in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Flush with mature spruce trees and a pre-existing one story abandoned structure, the design is a mixture of two fundamental challenges in architecture: to evoke new spatial meaning while reconciling an existing structure, and to produce a formal language that can be dynamic and strong, yet carefully caress spruce trees. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Inspired by traditional architectural aesthetics from the southern region of the Yangtze, known as the most desirable place to live in China, the architecture of this region is known to exude an intimate connection to water and to high-profile cultural institutions and people.
