The Beijing 798 Art District is a renowned cultural hub known for its rich industrial heritage. This area is characterized by factories from various eras alongside a variety of art institutions that have been continuously renovated since the district’s inception. The district exudes a raw vitality and freedom that starkly contrasts with the surrounding commercial developments. This unique atmosphere inspired Tao Lei Architecture to establish their office space within this vibrant community.
This project involved the renovation of an existing structure. The design team embraced the building’s aged and uncertain environment as the foundation for their creative process. While respecting the original building’s dimensions and volume, they reimagined the interior to better suit the needs of designers, creating a beautiful and elegant workspace for the team. Tao Lei’s architectural philosophy emphasizes simplicity, comfort, compactness, and elegance, striving to foster a connection with nature even in an environment with limited natural resources.
The building features exterior walls clad in anodized aluminum panels, selected for their soft reflective qualities. To reduce excessive sunlight and avoid direct views into the neighboring building, the aluminum panels on the west facade are perforated. This treatment renders the simple building form semi-transparent, allowing it to blend harmoniously with the surrounding uneven brick walls. The design aims to create a bright and fresh atmosphere that engages in a unique dialogue with the historic neighborhood, revitalizing the old area.
The original structure was a small three-story building. The design team preserved the existing steel framework, reinforcing it where necessary. The first floor serves as exhibition space, the second floor is dedicated to meeting and reception areas, and the third floor functions as the workspace.
△ Section Profile 1
△ Section Profile 2
To enhance the connection between the three floors, part of the floor slabs were removed, creating a vertical open space that serves both as a staircase and an open lobby at the first floor entrance.
Vertical circulation space
As the floors ascend, the space gradually narrows up to the roof. West-facing windows extend from the ground to the roofline, allowing afternoon sunlight filtered through the perforated aluminum panels to gently fill the interior.
Situated between neighboring buildings on the north and south sides, the structure opens only to the east and west. The east wall on the first floor remains intact as the boundary courtyard wall of the 798 district. Despite the dense surroundings, the design team sought to foster outdoor interaction with nature. A small open space, discovered within the remnants of a demolished building, was expanded into a courtyard on the first floor that features a large tree acting as a natural indoor focal point.
△ Perspective View
The third floor includes a balcony, providing a relaxed spot to sit under the tree during breaks. The renovation completely opens the east wall of the second floor, creating a semi-outdoor terrace that faces east. As one ascends the stairs from the first floor, the space dramatically opens up, transitioning from a confined area to an uplifting environment, promoting a sense of clarity and brightness.
△ Staircase and Courtyard
Continuing up the stairs, the vertical space narrows again, accommodating only the stair width, resembling a narrow canyon passage. At the end of this view is a bright sky illuminating the small outdoor courtyard on the third floor, where greenery adds vibrancy to the workspace.
This small building has become a sanctuary for the team and a symbol of their spirit. It is a space where they preserve their independence and creative thinking amidst a challenging environment.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ East Elevation
△ West Elevation
△ South Elevation
Project Details
Project Name: TAOA 798 Studio
Project Type: Architectural and Interior Design
Location: Beijing, China
Building Area: 450 square meters
Floor Area: 150 square meters
Design Firm: TAOA Tao Lei Architecture
Office Website: www.i-taoa.com
Lead Architect: Tao Lei
Design Team: Meng Xiangrui, Tao Ye, He Xiaotian
Construction Manager: Tao Ye
Construction Company: Sixiang Construction
Owner: TAOA Tao Lei Architecture
Completion Date: July 2023
Photography: TAOA Tao Lei Architecture
Materials: Biyi doors and windows, anodized aluminum panels, M77 wooden work
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up