Jiadu Art Center reimagines houses as a community art hub
Found within a property development completed in 2021 in Yanjiao, Hebei Province, Jiadu Art Center by small laboratory responds to wider shifts in China’s metropolitan advancement, where emphasis is moving from growth to the transformation of existing building stock. Within a context mainly specified by housing, the intervention reconfigures three separate spaces, a supplementary structure, a nearby commercial area, and a domestic unit, into a linked system consisting of a neighborhood art center, coffee shop, and artist studio. Together, these aspects establish a network that supports exhibit, social interaction, and innovative production, providing a design for small-scale activation within property environments.
The art center is organized as a flexible interior that accommodates numerous usages through adaptable spatial systems. Working within the restrictions of the existing structure and services, the intervention adopts a light-touch method, relying on reconfiguration rather than extensive reconstruction. A system of movable walls allows the space to move between apart zones and a constant open location. This enables the center to host exhibitions, workshops, lectures, screenings, and neighborhood activities.
Existing columns are integrated into the design through steel-framed enclosures clad in strawboard, forming hybrid aspects that integrate seating, screen, and concealed storage. Modular furniture further supports flexibility, permitting configurations to be changed or cleared as needed. These systems develop a spatial structure that can be continuously redefined through use.
Jiadu Art Center: exhibition area MINOR lab extends material continuity through versatile designs For the café, MINOR lab’s design group extends the spatial and material techniques of the art center, arranging the interior through a series of defined zones. The entrance is structured to direct movement inward, using contrasts in product and kind. The existing glass exterior is retained and paired with a constant low table, creating a visual and spatial connection to the exterior. A suspended timber ceiling introduces curvature to the space while concealing services and specifying the main seating area. Sculptural volumes formed from stacked strawboard function as display screen aspects, enhancing the spatial organization. Service functions are consolidated into a single volume dressed in hot-rolled steel, establishing a clear core within the plan. Variations in product and layout develop separated areas that support both cumulative usage and more private profession.
The artist studio adjusts 2 adjacent property units into a flexible work space and living environment. The elimination of non-load-bearing walls establishes a constant visual axis throughout the strategy, while the original floor height allows for the insertion of a partial mezzanine. A movable wall system divides and links working and living areas as required, also functioning as storage and display screen for artworks. Light conditions are handled through adjustable blinds and sliding frames, supporting ventilation, privacy, and daylight control. Custom-made furniture components, including a multi-purpose table, accommodate different modes of usage within the limited footprint. The studio is developed as a versatile framework that supports evolving innovative practices.
A consistent material combination links the 3 areas. Terrazzo floor covering provides a constant surface, while hot-rolled steel introduces a commercial character through its surface and detailing. Strawboard is used to produce volumetric elements with both practical and spatial roles, adding texture and heat. The mix of these materials establishes connection throughout the project while permitting each area to preserve distinct spatial qualities.
Jiadu Art Center: movable wall in usage By reconfiguring existing residential and industrial areas, Jiadu Art Center, established by MINOR lab, develops a dispersed network that supports cultural activity within a housing-dominated context. The intervention shows how minimal, targeted modifications can generate brand-new types of public usage. As the project develops, additional creative spaces have emerged within the surrounding location, extending its effect. Through incremental change and versatile spatial strategies, the design supports the steady development of a community-based art ecosystem.
Jiadu Art Center: exhibit in development Jiadu Art Center: exhibit space Neighborhood coffee shop: common seating area and the display volume Neighborhood Café: low bar table along the glass facade Community Café: service counter Neighborhood coffee shop: strawboard stacked to form sculptural screen volumes Artist studio: view from entryway towards window Artist studio: view from the workspace toward the living area Artist studio: view from kitchen towards the working area
Artist
studio:
view toward entrance and storage location task details: name: Jiadu Art Center, Community Coffee Shop and Artist Studio
architect: small lab
area: 533 sqm
place: Yanjiao, Hebei Province, China
customer: Jiadu
principal designer: LIU Chen
project manager: ZHAO Dan
construction manager: JIN Weixi
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modified by: christina vergopoulou|designboom