all images © Eiichi Kano

Kengo Kuma and Associates has unveiled Wuxi Vanke Art Gallery and office building in China. Wuxi Vanke Art Gallery has been converted from the historical building, functioning as a cotton mill of red brick in 1961. The new building is located near Taihu Lake, Wuxi Province, to a complex for art and shopping. The initial idea comes 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. All the porous twisted facade materials wrap the curvaceous structure that plays with light, shadow and acts as a secondary facade configuration. 

Wuxi Vanke Art functions as commercial building including art gallery and offices inside. 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 and original objects that rejuvenate the history with modern look. The project sits on 10440.22m2 area. 

site plan

plan

elevations

sections

Project Facts

Location: Wuxi, China
Date: 2010.4-2014.4
Function: art gallery, office, commercial
Size: 10440.22m2

> via Kengo Kuma and Associates