▲ Night scene image
Dual Theme Exhibition Hall
Nanjing University of the Arts discovered a vacant space amidst the busy dormitory buildings and decided to renovate and expand a two-story art exhibition hall. The project utilizes the public area on the ground floor of the original Dormitory Building No. 46. The ground floor will house the “Ancient Porcelain Research Exhibition Hall,” while the upper floor will feature the “Ancient Oil Painting Restoration Exhibition Hall.” These two themes represent Chinese and Western art, respectively, and are designed to operate independently without direct connection.
Embracing the serene and traditional spirit common to both art forms, we designed a compact structure called the “Concrete Exhibition Hall,” constructed from plain concrete. The reverse-arched inner vault creates a lofty space filled with natural daylight, fostering a subtle dialogue between the two distinct themes.
▲ Overall image
Community Building
The new dormitory complex forms a vibrant living area known as the “creative district.” The “Concrete Exhibition Hall” sits at the back of the high-rise Dormitory No. 46, facing a small plaza located between buildings to the north. To the east, Huju North Road runs outside a perforated wall, while to the west, a stone-paved pedestrian street slopes gently from north to south. This lively street is lined with coffee shops, book bars, various creative boutiques, and art installations, making it a popular hub.
▲ Semi aerial view
▲ Overall appearance
Universities are microcosms of society. This design aims to integrate housing within the art school and the bustling dormitory area to nurture and stimulate a strong sense of community. The two-story building connects on the first and second floors to the street and an existing footbridge, ensuring excellent accessibility. Additionally, a new outdoor space was carved out within the limited site by creating a through-arched corridor on the second floor, attracting visitors from multiple directions toward the central plaza.
▲ Outdoor bridge connection
▲ Underarched corridor
▲ Facade image
Renovation and Construction
Nanjing University of the Arts serves as a model for campus renovation and upgrading in Jiangsu Province. The university has occupied its original site for over 60 years. Despite the limited campus area, the blend of new and old buildings, interspersed with greenery on the slopes, creates a vivid and rich spatial hierarchy cherished by students and faculty alike.
The addition of the “Concrete Exhibition Hall” continues the school’s approach of maximizing every opportunity by focusing on interior renovation and minimal expansion. Structural reinforcements, such as steel bar strengthening of the original foundation, have been applied to ensure compliance with modern technical standards.
This project prioritizes preserving the campus’s rich artistic atmosphere and creating a venue that naturally encourages student gatherings and social interaction, rather than pursuing technical breakthroughs or increasing footprint size.
▲ Continuation of the original site’s architectural atmosphere
Space and Form
The double arches inside and outside give this sculptural pavilion a distinct Western artistic character. However, its spatial inspiration partly derives from the Liang Free Hall of Linggu Temple in Nanjing. The textured plain concrete on the outer arch symbolizes oil painting brushstrokes and fragments of ancient ceramics. More importantly, it imparts a gentle sense of security to visitors, which is further enhanced by warm lighting at night.
▲ Front hall of the Ancient Oil Painting Restoration Room
▲ (BIM Work) Arch curtain wall
▲ Exchange center for the Ancient Oil Painting Restoration Room
▲ Guangjing Exhibition Hall
To preserve the camphor trees in the courtyard, a corner of the building facing the street is recessed, creating a geometric feature for the descending staircase. Behind this curved wall, an open sky view extends over the stair steps, bringing vibrant life to the solemn arcade space.
▲ Curved courtyard
▲ Curved staircase
▲ Curved staircase
The newly added rusted steel staircase slopes diagonally across the street-side bridge, revealing glimpses through the dense roadside trees. This design element acts as a subtle beacon, hinting at the exhibition hall hidden behind.
▲ Steel staircase addition
Design Drawings:
(BIM Design)
▲ General layout
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Roof plan
▲ East facade
▲ West facade
▲ North facade
▲ Section 1-1
▲ Section 2-2
Project Information:
Architectural Firm: Shanghai Zhongsen Architecture and Engineering Design
Location: Nanjing University of the Arts, No. 15 Huju North Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China
Category: Art Museum
Architectural Designers: Zhang Nan, Zhang Xiaoyuan, Sun Xiao, Ou Renwei
Building Area: 560 square meters
Project Year: 2019
Manufacturer: SKK
Structure Engineers: Jin Jian, Qiu Yulong, Liu Yong, Wang Feng
Water Supply and Drainage: Huang Yujin
HVAC: Song Lingye
Electrical: Cao Kelan
Lighting Design Consultant: Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Company
Construction Unit: Nanjing University of the Arts
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