Shengbai Art Space, located near the East 4th Ring Road in Beijing, was originally a boiler station. After several program changes, it was later utilized as an auto repair shop before its current renovation.
Situated in a residential district constructed in the 1980s and 1990s, the site measures approximately 160 meters in length and only 20 meters in width. It was a forgotten and narrow corner amidst China's rapid urbanization process. Our aim was to revitalize the community by introducing new public activities and attracting visitors from across the city to this urban gap.
To achieve this, we demolished a portion of the auto repair shop's extension, restored the boiler station's original spatial structure, and transformed the west side's open space into a hall capable of hosting exhibitions, business activities, and wedding events. We also converted smaller spaces into supporting functions such as cafes and lounges. Additionally, we landscaped the outdoor areas on both the east and west sides, increasing the site's public accessibility and providing an extension for indoor activities. To accommodate various decoration requirements for different events, most of the interior walls were left blank. To ensure flexibility in space division and circulation organization, we incorporated a large number of sliding and pocket doors to adapt to different levels of partition needs.
Since the renovation, Shengbai Art Space has successfully hosted multiple events and garnered significant attention. Over the course of just over two decades, this building has undergone several program changes. We hope that this intervention will help it find a new position in China's rapid urbanization process and make a difference to the local community.
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