The renovation of Dazhou Art Studio and its surrounding area in Chaichangnong, Shaoxing, represents a significant step in the organic renewal of the city. Originally, this site consisted of a cluster of spontaneously constructed buildings with no formal planning. Over time, these structures have weathered decay and fragmentation. The scattered broken bricks around the area now form the foundation for the SpActrum spectral observation practice.
The architect carefully studied the natural evolution of the site and transformed what was once a private space into a public one, using imagination and learned methods for future use. This process continuously breaks and redefines the relationship between architecture and landscape, as well as between indoors and outdoors. It explores the temporal and spatial continuity across individual units, ultimately liberating all buildings from their traditional architectural definitions and turning them into dynamic event spaces.
This area features a diverse mix of architectural remnants, including original private courtyard homes, old apartments, and former industrial buildings. Each presents a unique structural character and visual style, making the renovation a microcosm of the overall concept. The original Dazhou Studio preserves its west wall while integrating a contemporary steel and glass facade that extends inward towards the courtyard. The roof maintains the basic form of the original structure, with extended purlins forming steps designed for seating. These steps allow natural light to filter through, preserving the tactile essence of the original building. Additionally, a small ordinary house had its roof removed and was transformed into a secret garden.
By integrating interior spaces and dissolving individual architectural identities, the area merges seamlessly with the broader spatial-temporal context surrounding the site. Connections are established through a sky gallery on the south side of the roof and a star island on the opposite side. This flexible space can be inverted, combining buildings from different periods under the same roof, converting the roof into a city square, or transforming interiors into outdoor courtyards. Each building reveals the construction techniques of its era, blending harmoniously within the site. The architects have created habitable environments that mix structures from different times with minimal alterations, forming accessible “time slices.” The Dazhou Studio area consciously transcends the continuity of time and space, making these transitions tangible to visitors.
Project Drawings
△ Base Schematic Diagram
△ Original Site Plan
△ General Layout Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Sectional Perspective
△ Detailed Structural Drawing
△ Detailed Structural Drawing
△ Axis Side Analysis Diagram
△ Axis Side Analysis Diagram
△ Axis Side Analysis Diagram
△ Axis Side Analysis Diagram
△ Exploded Diagram
Project Information
Architect: SpActrum Spectrum View
Area: 4,586 m²
Year: 2022
Photographers: Su Shengliang, Judy
Manufacturer: Xidun Lighting
Lead Designer: Pan Yan
Design Team: Pan Yan, Li Zhen, Tang Yimeng, Li Ying, Chen Hao, Meng Xianglong, ShAil Paragkum Patel, Gregorio Soravito, Wan Jinyu
Construction: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Guangyu Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Shanghai Puhou Landscape Design Co., Ltd
Structural Design: Zhongwai Construction Engineering Design and Consulting Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: French Ante Lighting Design
Curtain Wall Design: Gonghe Design Group Co., Ltd
Client: Shaoxing Famous City Office, Kaiyuan Cultural Tourism
Location: Shaoxing
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