Dalian 37 Xiang Cultural and Creative Park

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Transformed from an abandoned factory, Dalian 37 Xiang is located halfway up the mountain side with a main aspect towards the harbor in the north of the city. The design is inspired by the geographical features of Dalian's iconic mountains and adjacent seas, creating a new architectural image that echoes the spirit of the city, establishing a contrast between the old and the new through delicate and light interventions. The design objective was to renew this old factory into a regional landmark of the city, accommodate multiple business types, and finally make it an open and dynamic city node.

Dimensions & Packaging

Site Area: 4,000 m2
Gross Floor Area: 5,300 m2

Tags

Renovation, Urban Renewal, Urban Regeneration, Industrial Heritage, Mountains and Seas, Beacon, Mixed Uses, Roof Garden

Production Technology

The first step of the renovation strategy is to establish a new facade grid. The horizontal lines of the facade grid are formed according to the building levels of the floors, roof and parapet. At the same time, the vertical lines of the facade grid are spaced 1.2 meters apart, which not only conforms to the specifications of conventional building materials, but also forms a multiple relationship with the building's structural grid. Based on this facade grid, we established a new facade system superimposed on the old structural order.

Design Challenge

The main building of the site was originally a cuboid industrial factory building with a regular 6m x 9m structural grid, presenting a typical uninspiring example of an industrial building, an impression that is essentially contradictory to the vitality of the cultural and creative industry. So how to create a continuity before and after the renovation, whilst at the same time liberating the building from the original monotonous form to achieve a more free and romantic form, is a key point of our thinking.

Research

Located in the core area of the old city area of Dalian, the site is backed by Martyrs Mountain, facing Dalian Bay to the north, adjacent to the Dalian Government. Scattered around the site is an equally decades-old neighborhood, so over time the factory has become part of the collective memory of the local residents. Therefore, the new architectural image should not only resonate emotionally with the surrounding residents, but also become a regional landmark facing the future, activating the old community in the way of acupuncture.

Inspiration

The emergence of the architectural image comes from the exploration of Dalian's city spirit. Combining the unique geographical resources of mountains, hills, peninsulas, oceans, together with the urban fabric have created the impression of Dalian as a city of mountains and seas. The first inspiration for the architectural design comes from the geographical features of the city. The design language is abstracted from the form of waves and sails, establishing a spiritual connection between the building and people by endowing the building with a new visual imagination.

Project Duration

The project started in December 2020 and finished in September 2022 in Dalian, China.

Operation Flow

Mixed business types are an important prerequisite for ensuring the vitality of the park, with each business type being suitable for a specific target customer group. Through the rational allocation and sharing of resources, different business types can guide customers to each other, creating a synergistic effect. Dalian 37 Xiang is comprised of rental offices, radio museum, coffee shop, bookshop, communal space, tea shop, fashion shop, art education, restaurant, etc., emphasizing the theme of "fusion space".

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Night, 2022.
Image #2: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Day, 2022.
Image #3: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Terrace, 2022.
Image #4: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Sails, 2022.
Image #5: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Details, 2022.
Video Credits: Shiming Xiao + Weiqi Jin, 2022.