Manheli Xiang Space is situated in the central park of an upscale community in Beijing’s core area. It is divided into three sections: Yu Space, Xue Space, and Xia Space. Originally, the site consisted of three independent sunken courtyards located in the community’s underground parking lot. The design firm BUZZ redefined these spaces through three distinct design approaches, preserving their unique characteristics while offering a fresh experience. This transformation enhances the community and landscape qualities and fulfills the functional demands of a contemporary art space with diverse content.
The island space, located at the center and largest of the three courtyards, features a covered “roof” with a ring of natural light windows around its perimeter. This design allows daylight to flood the space from above, creating the impression of a metallic island floating within the aperture. The central exhibition hall mirrors this rooftop concept, and at the side opposite the entrance, a functional room with a lower ceiling height adds versatility. Consequently, the island space not only serves as an artistic exhibition venue but also becomes a vibrant community gathering spot.
The cave space’s design originates from a smooth, curved form, as if a crack has opened in the ground with a naturally winding entrance descending into the building. In the afternoon, sunlight filters through surrounding buildings and shines into the ground-level gaps, casting moving tree shadows. At night, interior lighting seeps through the cracks, illuminating the ground and creating a highly exploratory and dynamic visual effect.
Inside, the space features a soft, cavity-like shape that feels both enveloping and semi-open. This design invites the surrounding landscape into the interior, extending the natural environment beyond the architectural boundaries and evoking a “historical” connection linked to biological experience. The continuous curved walls not only accommodate large sculptures and contemporary installations but also adapt to projection-based new media art, seamlessly integrating the space with the artwork and creating a new artistic platform.
The gorge space lies between the island and cave spaces, with a reduced focus on art exhibitions. Instead, it functions primarily as a community activity center. Outdoors, it includes a skateboarding area, while indoors, it offers a climbing wall and an activity room. The square-roofed skateboard park structure is embedded adjacent to the climbing wall within the sunken space.
Skateboarding movements are projected onto the climbing wall, creating an engaging interaction between two unrelated activities separated by space, through dynamic light and shadow effects. This interplay forms an intertextual “canyon-like” visual in the spatial cross-section. The activity center complements the other two exhibition spaces, providing ground-level connectivity and hosting community art markets and creative events, fostering a new perspective on spatial linkage.
Project drawings
△ Gorge spatial plan
△ Gorge spatial plan
△ Gorge spatial profile map
△ Gorge spatial profile map
△ Cave Space Plan
△ Cave Space Plan
△ Cave spatial cross-section diagram
△ Cave spatial cross-section diagram
△ Island Spatial Plan
△ Island Spatial Plan
△ Island spatial profile map
△ Island spatial profile map
△ Island spatial profile map
△ Axonometric diagram
Project Information
Architect: RSAA / Zhuang Ziyu Studio
Area: 750 m²
Year: 2023
Photographers: Zhu Yumeng, Hu Kai @ AGENTPAY
Lead Designers: Zhuang Ziyu, Li Na
Design Team: Liu Jian, Xing Mengzhao, Wu Mengdi, Li Churan, Tian Yuxin
Interior Design: Liu Chen, Liu Yue, Cai Wei, Ding Zhuliang, Wang Weiyu, Chen Zhendong, Cao Chengqian, Gao Zheng
Client: Beijing Xinjingrun Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Project Operator: Shanghai Manyi Culture Communication Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: Baianmu Design Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant: Kaihe Lighting Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Location: Beijing
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