AU Office And Exhibition Space
AU OFFICE AND EXHIBITION SPACE
Archi Union Architects Inc
ARCHITECTS
Archi Union Architects Inc
LOCATION
Jungong Road, Shanghai, China
AREA
1200.0 m2
PROJECT YEAR
2010
PHOTOGRAPHS
Sheng Zhonghai
Text description provided by architect.
This old warehouse on Jungong Road, Shanghai was originally used to store fabrics. Abandoned and dilapidated, it has now been given a new life as an office and exhibition space.
Located in a newly formed artists' complex, the area consists of three identical warehouse spaces totalling 1,200 sqm. The central warehouse has been converted into an outdoor recreational space and entrance lobby serving the exhibition hall and the studio.
The external parametric wall of the warehouse encloses the building on three sides. Parametric processes have been used here to superimpose the contours and definition of silk undulating in the wind - a sign of its past.
The wall consists of concrete blocks, angled to create an interesting texture and varying amounts of light. Inside there are two meeting rooms and exhibition areas. The roof of this space has been left intact, simply renovated.
Large windows run along both walls flooding daylight into the large open space. The centre-stair leads to a mezzanine level for sports and recreation. At the rear of the building is the open-plan office. The original details of the building have been preserved here, and the contemporary furniture has been introduced to contrast the old and the new.
