Walls based on standard Chinese screens can be moved to produce exhibition spaces inside of this Beijing artwork gallery by local firm Arch Studio (+ slideshow).
Arch Studio was asked to update the Rongbaozhai Western Artwork Gallery in city’s Liulichang district. The area is a single of Beijing’s oldest quarters, and features a series of traditional two-storey stone dwellings that promote different craft pieces, artworks and antiques.
“The objective of the design is to generate a space total of the components of orient, zen, nature and simplicity, as well as maximise the interior area underneath the restrict of the current grid,” said the architects.
The architects additional walls in the type of foldable screens to the ground and initial floors, making it possible for the rooms to stay flexible and open.
“Folding screens have long been a part of traditional Chinese decoration,” stated the firm. “They provide the attractiveness of serenity and harmony by separating and embellishing a space as a member of standard Chinese furnishings.”
Associated story: Sou Fujimoto makes use of seashells and thatching for village-inspired arts complicated in rural China
On the initial storey, the screens develop an exhibition hall that is secluded from the rest of the area. Wooden cupboards line the left-hand wall, whilst a glass-enclosed staircase is on the proper.
“The very first floor is designed to be an up-and-down transparent exhibition hall enclosed with fixed folding screens, which delivers an intense impression at the 1st sight,” said the architects.
When the walls are folded back, the prime floor of the building turns into a open-plan room that can be configured to develop artwork displays.
Even though the upper amounts are largely utilized as exhibition spaces, the basement homes a manager’s workplace, retailer space and restroom.
Arch Studio previously installed curved glass walls that enclose bamboo-planted courtyards in a tea house situated in a single of Beijing’s ancient neighbourhoods.
Recently, Kengo Kuma produced a sprawling village of folk-art galleries for China Academy of Arts and Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto used locally sourced resources to produce a countryside arts venue at a former farm.
Photography is by Wang Ning.
Basement floor plan – click for more substantial image 
Ground floor prepare – click for larger picture 
Initial floor strategy – click for bigger image 
Section – click for larger picture 
