Dezeen Magazine

Twisted roof connects the angular facades of Archi-Union's Songjiang Art Campus clubhouse

Chinese firm Archi-Union Architects has completed a campus for an art school on the outskirts of Shanghai featuring a clubhouse building with a twisting roof (+ slideshow).

Songjiang by Archiunion

Songjiang Art Campus is located in the Shanghai suburb of Xingiao Town. It comprises facilities including offices, art studios and social art spaces, interspersed by existing roads, gardens and a river.

Songjiang by Archiunion

Archi-Union Architects used a modular architectural system for the majority of buildings, which are arranged in rows. Green spaces slot into the gaps between them, offering a connection between the built environment and the waterway.

Songjiang by Archiunion

"The landscape system, which is an important element of this project, is considered as an infrastructure system of the whole project," said the architects.

Songjiang by Archiunion

"It connects traffic, views and service facilities in the campus, brings unique value to individual buildings, and realises the traditional Chinese scenery of garden, lake and laneway," the architects explained.

Songjiang by Archiunion

Towards one edge of the campus next to the river is the clubhouse building, which features a form that responds directly to its context.

Songjiang by Archiunion

The building is separated into two parts that relate to its main points of entry, views and internal programme. One side faces the river and another looks towards the main street.

Songjiang by Archiunion

These two sections are linked by a curving roof that results in unusual angular facades and an evolving section.

Songjiang by Archiunion

"The twisted roof of the clubhouse at the entrance of the campus proposes a powerful gesture to the public," the architects stated. "The relationship between the twisted roof and sky varies via changes of observing location."

Songjiang by Archiunion

At the northeast corner, which is surrounded by buildings, the roofline has been lowered to enable sunlight to reach the street and the residences at the rear.

Songjiang by Archiunion

Details including the concrete beams, columns and the facade panels are left exposed to display the methods used to construct the complex geometric form.

Songjiang by Archiunion

Red brick panels between the building's windows feature sweeping relief patterns created by laying some of the bricks with their longer ends protruding slightly.

Songjiang by Archiunion

Computer models were used to ensure the accuracy of the pattern, which was translated into a simple system that the bricklayers could recreate using a suspended length of string as a guide.

Songjiang by Archiunion

The material palette of brick, concrete and glass extends throughout the campus and the relief surfaces also appear on the facades of the other buildings.

Songjiang by Archiunion

Each of the buildings is also given a unique character by its relationship with outdoor spaces including balconies, terraces and courtyards, which can be used for working or exhibiting artworks.

Songjiang by Archiunion
Masterplan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
Ground floor plan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
First floor plan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
Second floor plan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
Third floor plan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
Fourth floor plan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
Roof plan – click for larger image
Songjiang by Archiunion
Evolving section plan – click for larger image