This project is located in a century-old high school on the north side of Hao River Scenic Area in Nantong Old Town. Adjacent to existing buildings on three sides, the volume and height of the site are limited, and the functional requirements of the Center for Art Education are relatively complicated. The building is a transition point between the historical context and the current campus culture. For this reason, the design team aimed to reconstruct the organization of the site and rethink the relationship between old and new through the process of “abstraction – combination – adjustment”. The art gallery ultimately connects the core spaces to construct a complex that builds on the history of Nantong High School while also satisfying the needs for campus art and cultural activities, like a monolith floating on a sea of art. In addition, its form and facade also dialogue with the surrounding areas, opening up the campus from a cultural perspective and enhancing the vitality of public space.
Bio The Architectural Design and Theory Research Center of Southeast University is an institution that integrates industry, academia, and research in its commitment to the preservation and development of Chinese architectural culture. It promotes diversified innovation in architectural creation through a cross-cultural and multi-national perspective.
