Toshio Tsushima · CLIENT: China Resources Land Limited
Memories of Water is an exhibition gallery located on the shoreline in Qingdao, China. The building offers panoramic views of the ocean within an urban setting. A curtain wall system with steel fins is used on the first floor to minimize the structure. On the second floor, ultra-transparent glass is installed without fins or frames, so the boundary between indoor and outdoor space is reduced. A cantilever structure creates a floating effect. A water landscape surrounds the building and eases the transition from the city to nature. The gross built area is 1800 square meters.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- With the prime location of the site, which situates by the shoreline in Qingdao, China, the design is to create a relationship between natural environment and the architectural space. With the advantage of the site location, the architecture provides a space for visitors to enjoy the dramatic and panoramic view of the ocean, meanwhile experience nature within the urban area.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Gross build area: 1800 sqm
- Tags
- Architecture, Exhibition gallery, Civic
- Production Technology
- The building uses curtain wall system and steel fins on the first floor to minimize the structure as well as to offer panoramic view with minimal visual disruption. On the second floor, the ultra-transparent glass is installed without any fins or frames to show no boundary between indoor and outdoor space. Cantilever structure is used for a dramatic floating effect.
- Design Challenge
- The most difficult part of the design is to figure out how to create communication between people, nature, and the architectural space not only visually, but also aurally, tactilely, and through the other senses of body.
- Project Duration
- The project started in July 2019, and finished in May 2020 in Qingdao, China.
- Operation Flow
- Having water landscape, with the motion of waves and reflection, around the building allows a smooth transition between the outdoor and the indoor, as well as from the urban area to the nature.
- Research
- Given the fact that the site is the last available waterfront site in Qingdao, the uniqueness of the site and the surrounding environment were taken into consideration. Wind flow and the minerals in the air (which contains quite amount of sodium) were also well researched as these conditions would affect the design of the building and the material choices.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration came from the beautiful ocean view in the urban city of Qingdao. The designers utilized the scene and water to create a dialogue between humans and the architectural space, and unites nature and architecture as one.
- Image Credits
- Image #1：Photographer Hui Zhang, 2020
Image #2：Photographer Hui Zhang, 2020
Image #3：Photographer Schranimage, 2021
Image #4：Photographer Schranimage, 2021
Image #5：Photographer Schranimage, 2021
Video Credits: Hui Zhang, 2020
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