Located in the historic city of Zibo in Shandong Province and designed by the renowned architect Zhu Pei, the OCT Art Center stands out by pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture.
The region, hosting remnants of ancient Shang and Zhou dynasties, is surrounded by wild terrain adjacent to Fenghuangnan. The solitude and abandonment of this area inspired architect Zhu Pei to create a unique structure that blends traditional and contemporary design elements.
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The architectural form of the OCT Art Center is derived from the traditional Chinese academy, ‘Heyuan,’ with houses surrounding a central courtyard. With its circular shape and distinctive roof, the building not only harmonizes with local culture but also adapts to specific climatic conditions of the region.
While the central courtyard provides an ideal space for events like exhibition openings, the corridor area allows for outdoor activities on rainy days. The openings and overhangs in the courtyard accommodate users in spaces of different scales, combining visual aesthetics with functionality.
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Prominent materials in the architecture include concrete roofing and local rough-hewn stone walls. The hyperboloid roof provides an impressive experience by making visitors feel the inclination of the indoor space towards the ground. The woven stone walls, constructed with local stones, create a texture where traditional and contemporary elements coexist harmoniously.
The OCT Art Center offers visitors a profound experience through its architectural form, tectonic expression, and the materials used. Successfully merging traditional architecture with contemporary aesthetics, this structure has firmly established itself as a significant milestone for architecture.
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Architectural Design: Zhu Pei
Design Team: Wilson Nugroho Markhono, Yina Luo Moore, You Changchen, Zhang Shun, Liu Yian, Ji Ming, Chen Yanhong, Liu Ling
Project Date: 2020
Total Construction Area: 2992 m²
Location: Shandong, China
Photography: Jin Weiqi, XIA ZHI PICTURES
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DOĞAL TAŞ / NATURAL STONE
DIŞ DUVARLAR / EXTERIOR WALLS
YEREL ÇİN TAŞI / LOCAL CHINESE STONE