© Eiichi Kano
The Wuki Vanke Art Gallery facade in China designed by Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma is inspired in the shape of Taihu stone. The resulting porous panels manage to filter gently the sunlight into the exhibition space.
Wuxi Vanke Art Gallery technical information
- Architects : Kengo Kuma & Associates | Kengo Kuma Bibliography & Profile
- Typology : Cultural Architecture / Art Gallery, Commercial, Offices
- Location : Wuxi, China
- Project year : 2014
- Building Area : 10440 m2
- Photographs : © Eiichi Kano
We got an idea from the shape of Taihu stone that was at the heart of Taihu culture, made porous panels with aluminum casting, combined them to create an ameba-shaped space, and inserted it to the rigid structure of brick.
– Kengo Kuma Architects
Wuxi Vanke Art Gallery Photographs
© Eiichi Kano
© Eiichi Kano
© Eiichi Kano
Wuxi Vanke Art Gallery has been transformed from the historical red brick building that function as a cotton mill since 1961 into a new Art Gallery. The brand new development is around Taihu Lake in Wuxi Province, and also includes some retail shops and Office Space.
The facade elements hide the interior of the building that creates an architectural mysticism. Materiality and texture are the key figures for Kengo Kuma’s designs and the architect generally uses the local materials (as he has several times stated) and original objects that rejuvenate the history with modern look.
Article from Kengo Kuma Architects
In this project we renovated a cotton mill of red brick (1961), located near Taihu Lake, Wuxi Province, to a complex for art and shopping. We got an idea from the shape of Taihu stone that was at the heart of Taihu culture, made porous panels with aluminum casting, combined them to create an ameba-shaped space, and inserted it to the rigid structure of brick.
Infinite number of the holes on the panel passes through sunlight and the gentle light fills the room of art. Past and future was linked by the material and the detail of the building.
Wuxi Vanke Art Gallery Plans
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