ARTCATION

ARTCATION is situated at No. 97 Shigu Road, the core area of Jimei School Village's century-old cultural heritage, and was originally the Former Jimei Courthouse. This solemn architecture, steeped in historical memory, has been revitalized through Fancy Design's innovative "DESIGN O" model. Guided by the concept of "stay," the project aims to create a relaxed, open, and emotionally engaging urban public living room, transforming the space from "disciplinary" to "symbiotic." It serves as a core supporting facility for the industrial ecosystem of the Jimei School Village Art and Design Development Center, while also fulfilling the strategic mission of revitalizing the Jimei School Village Historic Cultural Block and promoting diversified urban industrial development.
In terms of design approach, Fancy Design respected the original building's structure and fabric. Aligned with the project's strategic and functional positioning, the outdoor courtyard was reconfigured to redefine the relationship between the architecture and the urban neighborhood. Within the interior, the originally rigid legalistic layout was deconstructed and reorganized. By reconfiguring circulation routes and creating a textured patina with a sense of breathability and organic growth, a poetic dialogue between old and new spaces was achieved.
Programmatically, based on a systematic construction of art and design-oriented functions and living scenarios, the former courtroom has been transformed into the multi-functional composite space "CUBIC." Offices and detention rooms have been converted into concept stores and art galleries, forming a mixed-use program of "Life Aesthetics Cluster Art & Design Alchemy Field." Since its opening in April 2025, ARTCATION has successfully hosted over ten high-quality events, including art exhibitions, poetry and literary gatherings, theatrical performances, music shows, community family activities, and culinary experiences, attracting a daily average of over 1,000 visitors.

The project covers an area of 2,580 square meters
Project floor area per level:
First floor area: 697m², platform area: 412m²
Second floor area: 637㎡, Third floor area: 417㎡
Four-story area: 417㎡
Overall height of the project: 12m
Total project cost: 6 million yuan
Floor height: 3 meters with floor slabs, 2.9 meters without floor slabs

Chief designer: Fang Guoxi
Project director: Zeng Canfang ,Huang Deming
Technical Director: Chen Huozao
Hydro-power design: Huang Ting
Display design: Hong Xuanzhen

ARTCATION by Guoxi Fang in China won the WA Award Cycle 52. Please find below the WA Award poster for this project.