UABB Yiantian Sub-Venue Installation and Exhibition / Rito RUA + Studio Paola Viganò

Curated by 韩双羽 - HAN Shuangyu

Architects: Rito RUA, Studio Paola Viganò
Area: 10000 m²
Year: 2019
Photographs:DUO Architectural Photography
Main Contractor: Guangzhou Bijia Exhibition Services Co.Ltd. Shenzhen Branch
Structural Consultant: SCArchitects

Text description provided by the architects. The theme of the Shenzhen Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture (UABB) Yantian Sub-venue is “ City of Streams”. The exhibition is located in Shatoujiao Bonded Zone. Indoor exhibits are located on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor in Building No.8 while outdoor exhibits occupy the space between the West Gate and Building No.8 as well as the surrounding pedestrian areas.

As an interpretation of the exhibition theme “City of Streams”, the architectural installation “Multi-Streaming” attempts to visualize the invisible urban “streams” through lines. The components of the installation are inspired by the common materials found in the Bonded Zone.

The lines of “Stream” on the ground guide visitors’ footsteps upon entering through the west gate and leading them to Building No.8，while the lines continue to run up the building along the facade. Street furniture located on both sides of the lined paths is made with wooden pallet, activating the public space of the Bonded Zone.

The pavilion at the entrance of the exhibition space, constructed with scaffolding structure, forms a permeable space where visitors can have a break, and outdoor activities of the exhibition can also take place. It acts as a “urban living room” in the Bonded Zone that accommodates various upcoming exhibition events.

The idea of the interior exhibition space underlines the industrial characteristic of the space: most of the motted concrete walls and pillars remain in place; traces of previously removed partitions are covered by sand which unifies all the space with the aesthetics of roughness, reminding visitors of the sandy beaches of Yantian. The sanded paths within the space are paved for visitors wandering through the labyrinth of exhibits, while connecting the parts as a whole. The bases, stands, and all the other objects are in simple white geometric forms.

The scale models, panels, LED screens etc., are suspended in the air. The design creates a transparent exhibition space, with minimal and rough elements emerging with a soft rhythm giving a unique experience of the exhibition.