1828

1828 is a mixed-use development project in Nam Ping, China, which comprises of a cultural event hall, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces and commercial facilities. The site contains a collection of vacant factory buildings from the 1970’s, which presents a unique opportunity for creative adaptive re-use to bring out the rich cultural heritage of the Nam Ping area.

The design approach is two-fold – firstly to selectively emphasize and reinforce the existing architectural elements within the site, and secondly to introduce elements of traditional Chinese architecture into the art district complex. Our goal was to maintain a cohesive visual and experiential bond among the different groups of buildings, while at the same time creating a new identity for the site as a social and cultural hub.

The front façade of the hotel was partially upgraded, and subtle re-design work was applied within the art district. This creates a distinct contrast between the commercial and cultural elements. On the other hand, a feature canopy was introduced to link the different programs within the site, while also acting as a visual device to draw focus towards the main entrance – a traditional Chinese gateway juxtaposed against the prominent 1828 logo. 

The internal main street continues the traditional Chinese influence with a contemporary interpretation of the traditional roof in Chinese architecture.

The rear façade unifies the architectural geometry with the use of a screening element, which also acts as a blank canvas for potential temporary banner displays.