#PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
kengo kuma renovates wuxi art gallery in china with sculptural extension
in wuxi, a city near shanghai in eastern china, japanese architect kengo kuma has converted a former cotton mill into an arts and shopping complex.
the original red brick building, which dates back to the 1960s, has been completely renovated, while a sculptural addition lends the venue a new sense of identity. in designing the extension, the architects referenced the shape of a local stone that remains significant in taihu culture.
a shallow pool of water surrounds the gallery, delineating a threshold and providing a connection with the natural environment. the structure itself comprises a number of aluminum cast panels that allow sunlight to gently filter inside the glazed exhibition space. the extension forms am amoeba-shaped footprint, joined to the brickwork of the former mill. the renovated building provides further gallery space, alongside a range of retail outlets and offices.
benches and other furniture designed by kengo kuma are placed throughout all areas of the scheme, providing a unifying visual aesthetic. occupying more than 10,000 square meters, the development serves as a connection between the site’s industrial past, and its cultural future.
in recent years kengo kuma has completed a number of projects in china, including a folk art museum and a tea house formed of polyethylene blocks.
