The Culture Shift
Program
/ Mixed Use - Cultural Center and office villasLocation
/ Dongguan, ChinaSize
/ 19,000 sqmClient
/ VankeScope
/ Architecture and Facade designStatus
/ Under constructionSuperimpose designed ‘The Culture Shift’ cultural Center as a response to a dense and complicated brief with mixed programmatic functions for the well-known Chinese developer Vanke in Dongguan. The design - currently under construction and to be finished later this year - is a meant as a simple and elegant response to a highly complicated brief, inspired by mountainous and terracing landscapes surrounding the metropolitan city. The project consist of four buildings which are placed at the perimeters of the site to give space to a large and open courtyard with gardens, relax areas and water features.
The main building of the Cultural Center, with integrated theater, cinema, art galleries, a community center and retail is the architectural center piece of the development. The bold design that evokes the movement and energy of the city and is composed of a series of interlocking and horizontal shifting volumes, each one representing a different cultural program or activity. Inside, the building is organized around a central atrium, which serves as a gathering space and provides natural light and ventilation to the lower floors of the interior. The shifting volumes naturally create terraces for outdoor events on the higher levels. The varying facade of the building responds to the specific programmatic needs of each volume with regards to daylight and exposure. The boxes are clad in shimmering metallic panels and fritted and translucent glass, which reflect the surrounding landscape and create a striking visual impact.
The two office buildings in the complex mirror the shifting volumetric language of the culture center. The two office buildings shift in plan, creating a dynamic volumetric interplay, and recognizability to not two but four main companies. At the shift location in between the tower blocks - executed in ultra clear glass - the office entrances and lobbies are located. On the higher floor the lift lobbies are located at the shift, providing an abundance of daylight to the usually dark lift lobbies.
The facade system of the office blocks is designed to regulate the building's temperature and energy consumption as a response to the subtropical climate of Dongguan. The facades are composed of white aluminum slabs with vertical shading devices in between to allow for a controlled amount of sunlight into the building.