FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade, ConcreteFOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, FacadeFOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade, ConcreteFOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, ConcreteFOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - More Images+ 25

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FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
The main building. Image © Shengliang Su

Text description provided by the architects. Located at Jinhai Road of Pudong New Area, the original site of FOR Space was a bathing place converted from an old factory building of monotonous spatial arrangement. It had fall into disrepair, lacking any distinct features of industrial building or historical value.

When refurbishing, Benzhe Architecture, based on a firm grasp of the seven independent buildings at the site, abandoned the original spatial pattern. A systematic spatial reconstruction allows a creative use of the space with flexible combinations of differential units, excepted to promote the sustainable development of surrounding areas, which reflects the active role of architectural design in urban renewal.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
Building elevation. Image © Shengliang Su
FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Image 25 of 30
Site-plan
FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
Exterior partial view. Image © Shengliang Su

Next to the main building stood the For Art Center, a giant breathing glass box serving as both bookstore and performance venue. The elevation of its curtain wall is enriched by the arrangement and combination of metal framework poles, with the delicacy of glass and the sturdiness of metal forming a sharp contrast. The rough and cold old metal truss is retained in the rearranged top space, where the implantation of log canopy softens the atmosphere. The interior space is rendered breathable and endowed with new vitality by the natural lighting introduced inside through the new skylight, which contrasts with the simple and smooth floor of air-faced concrete.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
The Art Center. Image © Shengliang Su
FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Beam
The Art Center. Image © Shengliang Su

After a bold makeover, the left and right sides of the façade of the U-shaped main building now takes on a completely different look that the boringly flat walls are transformed into well-arranged three-dimensional space. A staircase of black weathering steel hanging on the outside of walls is like unrestrained thick branches sprawling towards different directions, which demonstrates the sense of rhythm and strong tension of new architecture and interprets the style of post-modernism.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete
The main building. Image © Shengliang Su
FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete
Building No.7. Image © Shengliang Su

Following a natural and warm hall, there is a stairway where a cluster of sunshine light specks spill from a wall full of holes, which makes up the lighting in the interior space.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Stairs
Foyer gallery. Image © Shengliang Su

Transformed into a spiritual fortress, the tower now functions to provide guidance. On the second floor and above of the main building, multiple buildings are linked up by the criss-cross corridors. For people shuttling back and forth between the buildings, a private place to rest as well as a platform for exploration and communication is offered.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
The tower. Image © Shengliang Su

Building No.7 used to be a two-storey building, but for various reasons it is now reduced to only one floor. As the only single-storey building among this complex, it appears to be much shorter than the others. To make up for its lack of height, building No. 7 is renewed by raising up the gable wall, with a rest platform constructed to add open-air landscape. The structure of façade is rearranged only by the red bricks to create an integration between the new and the old, as well as rendering the originally simple and chaotic functional space clearer. The cramped feeling of flat space is dissipated by the brick surface orderly protruding from side walls and the empty window at the corner of two walls, which constitute a unique feature.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete
Building No.7. Image © Shengliang Su
FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Concrete
Building No.7. Image © Shengliang Su

Well-coordinated with surrounding buildings, building No. 4 expresses the most simple and natural properties of architecture, as its main body consists of cast-in-place concrete walls of wood grain and corrugated steel plates. Meanwhile, the sunken lounge with waterscape provides a space for leisure and social activities.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
Building No.4 . Image © Shengliang Su
FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete
Building No.4 . Image © Shengliang Su

Redbrick buildings and Western-style mansions from the Republican period are preserved as the main part of the architectural complex, while the old gate at the entrance is replaced by an industrial bronze archway, resulting in a more refined and exquisite sight. With modern aesthetics and Chinese element blended inside, the kernel of Shanghai-style architecture is thus elevated, as moderate vitality and healing power permeate the space.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
Redbrick buildings and western-style mansions. Image © Shengliang Su

Redbrick buildings and Western-style mansions from the Republican period are preserved as the main part of the architectural complex, while the old gate at the entrance is replaced by an industrial bronze archway, resulting in a more refined and exquisite sight. With modern aesthetics and Chinese element blended inside, the kernel of Shanghai-style architecture is thus elevated, as moderate vitality and healing power permeate the space.

FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
The Art Center. Image © Shengliang Su

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Project location

Address:18 Jinhai Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "FOR Space / Benzhe Architecture Design" 03 Jul 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/942756/for-space-benzhe-architecture-design> ISSN 0719-8884

Building elevation. Image © Shengliang Su

FOR 天物空间 / 本哲建筑

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