The Shuyang Art Gallery is located in the hometown of traditional calligraphy and is positioned as the calligraphy art gallery to display and inherit the Shuyang calligraphic style. The concept of architecture abstracts the most fundamental three colors, black, white, and red, of Chinese calligraphy from rice paper, brush-pen, and seal, creating a pure space experience with pure colors.
Shuyang Art Gallery Technical Information
- Architects: The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd. (UAD)
- Location: Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, China
- Material: Brick
- Type: Art Gallery
- Area: 10,475 m2
- Project Year: 2013
- Photographs: © ZHAO Qiang
The bottom of the body is overhanging to show a floating state, reflecting the spirit of detachment in calligraphy.
– UAD Architects
Shuyang Art Gallery Photographs
The Aesthetic Interest of Calligraphy in Architectural Layout
Incorporating the artistic essence of Zheng Banqiao’s calligraphic style, the architectural layout of the Villagers’ Home in Wanghu Village balances ideological and practical work, manipulating light and heavy elements, as well as the opening and closing aspects of calligraphy. This is achieved by meticulously controlling the size of the buildings, spatial dynamics, and the contrast of materials.
The largest exhibition hall along the street features a striking red-bricked exterior wall, reminiscent of a condensed seal imprinted on an elegant scroll of ink and wash. The arc-shaped corner cut enhances the building’s iconic character along the street, creating a unique, lasting appeal. The red bricks used are Yixing clay bricks, arranged in three distinct patterns depending on their location. The lower bricks protrude from the wall, the upper ones recess into it, and the cut sections are flatly aligned, forming varied textures.
The ink volume and angles are treated with dark grey fluorocarbon paint, giving the wall a subtle color shift under the blue sky, resembling a giant stone or ink block with a simple yet profound texture. Rounded corners at the base of the structure accentuate the sense of gravity inherent in calligraphy.
The white volume employs prefabricated concrete hanging boards, with surfaces treated by vertical chiseling to mimic the texture of rice paper, creating a delightful contrast to the smooth and fine ink-like surfaces. The base of the white volume is cantilevered, imparting a floating sensation that reflects the spirit of detachment found in calligraphy.
A tranquil water feature at the entrance serves to block out external noise, guiding visitors across a bridge over the water surface and into the gallery. This continuous spatial transition allows visitors to compose their minds before entering the exhibition hall.
All exhibition halls are open spaces without columns, allowing for flexible arrangements based on exhibition needs. A glass corridor connects the exhibition halls, facilitating continuous exhibitions. Central to the red-bricked exhibition hall are light wells spanning three floors, creating a bright and transparent indoor space.
The spatial relationship is governed by the layout principle of “sparse enough to run a horse, dense enough with no needle,” maintaining a narrow lane just 2 meters wide. Flanked by pure black and white volumes, visitors feel as though they are walking among books. The space opens into courtyards, generating an expansive spatial effect.
An introverted manner of volume excavation forms gray spaces, allowing outdoor areas to extend into indoor rest areas. Visitors can enjoy an intriguing spatial experience throughout their visit.
The design of paved roads and roofed courtyards draws inspiration from the abstract patterns of ink spreading. Grayscale changes in the granite paving mimic an ink painting, creating a cohesive and artistic environment that seamlessly blends calligraphy with architecture.
Shuyang Art Gallery Plans
Shuyang Art Gallery Image Gallery
About the Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd. (UAD)
The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd. (UAD) was established in 1953. With a history of more than 66 years to date, it is one of the earliest First Class Design Institutes among major national universities.
The mission of UAD is to create harmonious environments, a global vision, complete services, and the highest professionalism. Over the years, it has won over 1200 awards for outstanding design, excellent projects, research outcomes at national, ministerial, and provincial levels, and 18 international awards.
