Simple. Straightforward. These are two adjectives that keep coming up as Tan Hock Beng describes Star Art Gallery, a project completed earlier this year in Anning City in Kunming, China.
Contrasted against the complex, multifaceted hospitality buildings that Tan typically designs, this one does indeed seem so.
Yet, there is also much beauty in simplicity and something the Principal of MAPS managed to evoke with this project.
OF MOUNTAINS AND STARS
Located on elevated ground, the site is visible from the highway that leads from Kunming into Anning City.
“The first impression was that the hill is actually an outcrop framed by the high, craggy mountains of Yunnan,” says Tan.
“When we were there in the evening, it happened to be a clear night and I saw the sky covered with stars, which was quite fascinating.
“I therefore got the idea to try to capture all that in the building.”
Further allowing this was the client’s brief – or lack thereof.
Envisioned to have two lives, the project is, for now, a sales gallery and later, to be donated to the municipal government to adapt into an art gallery and museum.
This means the functions are “ambiguous”, explains Tan, with only the need for basic facilities like washrooms and lifts.
This story is from the Issue 121 edition of d+a.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 121 edition of d+a.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
In Harmony With Nature
Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Art Collection opens a window to the world of Japanese art based on the concept of inheriting tradition but with an innovative spirit.
Timeless Elegance
Italian architect, designer, and art director Pierro Lissoni’s vision for B&B Italia is characterised by his personal design sensibilities.
Revitalising Communities Through Eco-Tourism
How can design contribute to environmental conservation and create sustainable communities? This is a question explored by Chat Architects, an architectural firm based in Chonburi province in Thailand.
art meets minimalism
Jay Osgerby, co-founder of Barber Osgerby, shares how AXOR One Collection is set to change the future of bathroom design.
enduring legacy
Vipp's CEO Morten Woldum tells us about the Danish company's pursuit of long-lasting quality and meticulous designs
seasonal expressions
Vibrant colours of the season are depicted in the striking ceiling installation at the newly refurbished Le Du in Bangkok.
preserving lanna heritage for future generation
The new InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping's updated design pays homage to Northern Thailand's Lanna culture.
blank canvas
A family home’s white backdrop frames the tranquillity and greenery of Half Moon Island Wetland Park in Foshan, China.
three of a kind
This multigenerational residence brings its occupants together while allowing them to maintain their individual lifestyles.
ichll of discovery
Formzero's Borderless House blurs the boundaries of conventional living, distilling serenity sublimity and surprise in a gardened and Miesian-inspired abode.