Repurposing antiquated buildings is on the rise in China, and this proposal by Tianhua Architecture Design Company serves as a prime example. Planned for a site in the Hexi district of Tianjin, the Shanghai-based practice will soon transform a 1917 textile mill into a contemporary art gallery and private museum.
The architects, who have adapted their design to emphasize the gridded layout and high ceilings of the existing structure, plan to insert a garden courtyard deep into the building’s core. This will not only counterpoint the structure’s industrialized aesthetic, but will provide natural light deep into the interior while preserving the exiting cruciform layout.
“The power of industrial architecture shouldn’t contradict ecological elements,” stated Tianhua, who describes their process as “anti-industrial. “We shouldn’t demolish, but implant.”
“By using this method we wanted to redefine the old factory. First by implanting the ‘yard,’ a space of ‘gathering.’ [...] We want to create a completely different and new environment, where the space and the view keeps changing as people move along the path. [...] All the ‘implanted’ elements have given new life to this old architecture. The space has been humanized and has become a ‘social living room’ for everybody."
When the building is finished, it will host an art gallery, a private museum, and office space, with the courtyard being used for public art exhibitions. Construction is expected to be completed by 2016.
Architects
Location
Tai'erzhuang Road, Tianjin, ChinaArchitect in Charge
Mingcheng FuTechnical Director
Peng GuanDesign Team
Hongyan Zhao, Rui Chen, Xueying Pang, Ziyi Zhu, Yufeng Zhang, Ruixing Wang, Ning LiStructural Engineer
Feng YanMEP Engineer
Jin LuClient
Poly & SUNACArea
9000.0 sqmProject Year
2016Photographs
TianhuaLocation
Tai'erzhuang Road, Tianjin, ChinaProject Year
2016Photographs
TianhuaArea
9000.0 m2
