Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр by Zehua Zhang

Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр by Zehua Zhang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Бронзавая прэмія A' Design Award in Дызайн архітэктуры, будынкаў і канструкцый Competition Category.

БронзаАрхітэктура· 2026

Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр

by Zehua Zhang

Client: Zehua Zhang

Бронзавая прэмія A' Design Award Winner in Архітэктура Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр

«Каталізатар часу» — гэта праект, які прыстасоўвае былую вінакурню ў Валенсіі для грамадскага культурнага выкарыстання. Дызайн захоўвае існуючую канструкцыю і цагляную сцяну, адначасова ўводзячы дадатковыя праёмы для паляпшэння асвятлення, доступу і сувязяў паміж інтэр'ерам і экстэр'ерам. Прыбраўшы часткі даху, дызайнер стварае ўнутраны двор, які прыносіць дзённае святло і ландшафт у будынак. Інтэр'ер змяшчае студыі, выставы і грамадскія мерапрыемствы, ураўнаважваючы захаванне з выбарачнымі ўмяшаннямі, каб будынак заставаўся ў выкарыстанні.

The Recognition

About the Бронзавая прэмія A' Design Award

Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр — пераможца Бронзавай прэміі A' Design Award, высокапрэстыжнага прызнання, якое прысуджаецца выдатным дызайнам, што вылучаюцца творчасцю, вынаходлівасцю і праніклівасцю. Бронзавыя пераможцы — гэта ўмелыя і ўражліва творчыя артэфакты, якія пацвярджаюць вялікі вопыт, уяўленне і знаходлівасць сваіх дызайнераў. Чакаецца, што Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр — гэта высока цэнены, захапляльны і любімы прадмет, надзвычай прафесійны і інавацыйны. Гэты дызайн, што атрымаў Бронзавую прэмію A' Design Award, уключае лепшыя практыкі ў мастацтве, навуцы, дызайне і тэхналогіях і выдатны ўвагай да дэталей. Time Catalyst Культурны цэнтр цудоўна задавальняе патрэбы, кранае жаданні, зачароўвае пачуцці і ўзбуджае цікаўнасць.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Time Catalyst transforms a historic Valencia winery into a vibrant cultural center where memory and vitality coexist. Honoring its structural framework, the exterior preserves the original brick texture, while rhythmic openings at the base blur inside and outside. Interior volumes with curved facades echo the exterior, fostering fluidity and continuity, and the site embodies both the heritage and the spirit of the Fallas festival in Valencia, bridging past and future.
Dimensions & Packaging: Two-story building with overall dimensions of 75 meters in width, 75 meters in depth, and 23 meters in height.
Tags: Historic preservation, adaptive reuse, brick facade, structural framework, spatial fluidity, interior-exterior continuity, cultural center, curved volumes, communal space
Production Technology: This design balances cultural heritage with contemporary interventions. The original brick facade was restored to preserve its texture, while curved glass panels echo its language. Inside, UHPC ultra thin concrete slabs and steel I beams combine lightness with structural stability. Computer-aided simulations and 3D modeling optimized spatial relationships, integrating old and new elements to create a dynamic, vibrant experience.
Design Challenge: The original materials and structure of the historic building were preserved, while selective demolition was carried out. Structural analysis was performed, and the feasibility and adaptability of introducing new building structures and materials were comprehensively evaluated.
Research: Type of Research: Design-based architectural research on adaptive reuse. Research Objectives: To convert a historic winery into a cultural center while preserving heritage and enhancing social use. Methodology: Analysis of history, structure, and environment, tested through simulations and models. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Archives, drawings, site photos, 3D modeling, daylight and airflow simulations, and material studies. Results: Informed spatial layouts, openings, and materials. Insights and Impacts: Demonstrated how historic buildings can support contemporary cultural life. Effect in Real Life: Promotes heritage preservation, community interaction, and sustainable design.
Inspiration: Time Catalyst is inspired by the dialogue between history and contemporary life. The old winery’s brick walls carry memory, and I aimed to preserve this while introducing new vitality. Valencia’s Fallas festival, with its communal energy and fluidity, inspired the building’s openness and curved interior volumes, blurring inside and outside. The design celebrates cultural heritage while activating the space for modern social and creative life.
Project Duration: The project started in June 2025 and was completed in October 2025
Operation Flow: This is a renovation and adaptive reuse project for an old winery, preserving its historical character while introducing new vitality, transforming it into a cultural center that provides a space for local residents and artists to connect and express their creativity. The main spaces include creative studios, artist workshops, a performance hall, classrooms, exhibition areas, and a public courtyard.