Project Credits & Specs
- Architects: Topway Space Design
- Photographs: Ou Yangyun
- Location: Guangdong, China
- Area: 1 000 m2
- Year: 2022
Project Description
Curves belong to God and lines belong to man.
Antoni Gaudí
What about the slant line? It seems to belong to an undefined form. The oblique shape of an object has multiplicity from the perspective of physics; it represents both extreme instability and extreme stability. For example, the twin leaning towers of Bologna in Italy and the Leaning Tower of Pisa represent instability while the Pyramids of Egypt represent stability. A unique spirit of the space is formed by constructing and dividing space with undefined oblique lines.
Slash-cutting, diamond-shaped space
The Spanish slate display in the lobby is reconstructed with slash cutting. It breaks away from the traditional horizontal and vertical construction of buildings, creating a space similar to the shape of a diamond. Diamond cutting is a processing method for diamonds, representing an extreme processing technique. Each surface presents a different light state and shows the unique beauty of geometry because of the diamond cutting.
By cutting the space through various scales of oblique shapes, different volumes are broken down and recombined. The language of geometry constructs a space that is interlaced and full of contradictions. This is no longer a traditional material exhibition hall, but more like a three-dimensional art gallery, a non-real space pieced together by fragments of memory.
Borrowing light by digging the wall. lights shine for the future
The original building had windows only on the west-facing side, while the other three sides were enclosed. The designer optimized and transformed the building structure, especially by opening a three-story hollow atrium at the corner of the exhibition hall’s east side and cutting a window on the east side of the third floor to bring in sunlight. The inverted triangle design was used for the hollow ceiling, while the sloping surface facing the window outside used a mirrored material. The light was refracted twice through the reflection effect. The sunlight pours in through the beams and columns, making the entire space instantly sacred.
This is an exploration of a process, a mysterious, cramped, dark, and almost oppressive journey, all for reaching to God in the end. The shocking, magnificent divine light, appeared before us at the last moment.
Prometheus
The introduction of natural light makes the space more natural, soft, and touching. Various functional areas have been connected by reasonable circulation. It creates an open relationship in the space that brings communication between people back to the most basic, effective, and interesting way.
By alternating the use of natural light in space and combining it with a smooth circulation route, people can feel an inherent sense of time, that is, the uncertainty about space and time. This design creates a feeling of being here and there and gives people a unique experience.
Standing on the light gallery, away from the hustle and bustle, one can feel the wandering in the inch-square space. In the separated and cut space, it seems to enter a realm beyond time. The wooden ceiling is divided diagonally, running through the entire living, dining, and kitchen space, making the boundaries of the space blurred. The simple and elegant cement slate gives the space a simple and warm feeling. The morning and evening light creates different feelings of warmth and coldness in different seasons, allowing people to experience a rich and diverse range of emotions here.
In the space interwoven with light and shadow, visitors have become a part of time and space. The space not only brings us peace and comfort but also calms our minds. Thus, we are able to re-examine the memories and emotions that have been neglected for a long time and rethink the meaning and value of life. This space encourages people to contemplate and think deeply about the important things in life, finding a deeper understanding and realization for themselves.
Fantasy Gallery, the mysterious place
Passing through a narrow oblique corridor, the visitor enters an art gallery where the ceiling and walls continue the diamond-cutting design. The wall uses slates with a dark volcanic texture and metal materials to create a unique texture. The LED screen in the center of the gallery extends the space into the distance and creates unforeseen circumstances, triggering people’s unlimited associations and imaginations. This space can either be used as a brand roadshow area or as an art salon. It is a place that provides people with various experiences and communications. As a part of the building’s skin, slates form a symbiotic relationship with the building. Due to the variety of textures and materials, slates can be combined with different architectural spaces, presenting a thousand.
The project description is provided by the architects.
About the Architects
Topway Space Design was established in 2002 by Wang Zhike and Li Xiaoshui. The company specializes in boutique commercial spaces and high-end residential spaces, providing clients with a series of comprehensive solutions including project planning, architectural interiors, landscape design, and art installations. Topway Space Design is rooted in the aesthetics of modernism, guided by naturalism, and seeks to construct spaces that are suitable for the present and explore the future trends of spatial development. They blend Eastern artistic aesthetics with Western structural aesthetics, finding a balance between functionality, humanity, and art. Their goal is to create spaces that are creative, and poetic, and emphasize the importance of commercial logic and operational principles in the design. Through conceptual transformation and implementation, they aim to maximize commercial value for brands from a professional perspective.
