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Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

China Architecture News - Jan 17, 2017 - 20:21   19734 views

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

China-based architecture firm Atelier Alter has completed new stone archive in Beijing, made of thousands of 10cm stone cubes on the façade- cut directly from left over dimension stones in the quarry. Conceived as a rehabilitation project, the studio converts an old storage space into a stone archive to showcase the diversities of stone craft and to create a space for architects to contemplate their designs with stone.

As the most primitive construction material, stone comes with dignity and authenticity. However, as construction becomes more and more visually dominated, stones are crafted to be light and polished. 

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

''The spirit within stones seems to be lost, as stones are gradually substituted by other superficial materials. This project attempts to propose a critic for modern construction,'' said the architects.

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubesFrom rough to fine, stone processing begins with the moment when drill bits measure across the landscape and cut enormous cubical volumes of nature stones from the mountains. The project departs from this notion by imagining the seven meter high storage space into a complete piece of stone. 

By dissecting the volume with angular plates, the studio creates solid and void spaces: while solids are for exhibition, meeting and archive spaces, the voids become the circulation. The cutting plates are also materialized as different stone shelves for the separation and mediation between spaces.

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Three layers of stone shelve walls array from exterior to interior to create a narration of stone processing in space. The stones used in the shelves are recycled materials from different stages of stone processing. The first layer that separates architecture from the street is a perforated stone wall made from thousands of 10cm stone cubes cut directly from left over dimension stones in the quarry. 

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

The three trapezoidal openings punched through the perforated stone walls are the entrance, the clerestory window and the opening to the restaurant. Between the perforated and existing wall, there is a garden that brings light and breeze into the space. 

The second layer of stone shelves sets apart from the inside of existing wall and creates a residual space that prepares visitors for entering the gallery. 

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

The outwards-tilted stone shelve in the second layer is composed by the stacking of mountain skins cut away from dimensional stones. The trace of chisel and the roughness of stone unveil the live of the material. 

The third layer of stone shelves is zigzag stone screen that separates exhibition space, meeting hall and stone archive within the double story gallery space. 

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

The stone screen is made of small flag stone slabs sliding between a structure net welded by steel. The space above and space below are connected and separated simultaneously by the stone screen.

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

As the material processing impacts the internal logic of architecture, architecture also becomes a reinterpretation of the material. By inventing new construction methods based upon levels of local craftsmanship, architects strive to find coherence between the architecture scale and the detail scale of the work. 

Atelier Alter combines steel and stone construction in perforation, suspension and inclination to represent the authenticity of stone in a new way. Stone becomes the subject but also the background of the show.

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubesSmall restaurant, bar and cafe is placed next to the gallery. The catering space is enhanced by a library and an internal courtyard. 

The furniture and lighting of the space are designed with polished slabs and super thin complex stone veneers, which represents the finest degree of stone processing. A stone carpet made from parametrically arranged slabs brings the three spaces together.

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

Atelier Alter converts old storage space into a stone archive using thousands of 10cm stone cubes

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