Space and Architecture of Iberia Center for Contemporary Art

 

Located at Beijing 798 Art Zone, the architecture of Iberia Center for Contemporary Art is a factory complex transformed from old industrial buildings, among which the largest workshop with extended bent frame boasts an area of about 1,000 square meters, and measures 8 to 11 meters in height, providing a great open view for her visitors. 

 

After the completion of the rebuilding, the space area will amount to over 4000 square meters in total. The exposition area occupies 2,000 square meters, among which the main exhibition hall covers 1200 square meters. The gradient structured roof, with varied heights of 5, 8, and 11 meters, further magnifies the sense of openness characteristic of the original design. As an industrial equipment reserved from the original workshop, the gaint crane increases structural richness of the space, also sets up a viewing stand from the ceiling. The area of the other exhibition halls totals up to about 1,000 square meters, with varied heights between 3 to 4 meters.     

      

Surrounding the exhibition hall are different-sized indoor-outdoor spaces, including office area, film & video archive, médiathèque, auditorium, visual studio, library, storehouse, packing & installing area, as well as reception area, cloakroom, cafe, art store, and courtyard.

 

In keeping with the original industrial architectural style, some brick walls inside the space remain intact while other areas are rebuilt to accommodate exhibition standards. The entire transformed and newly added area is exclusively white-colored and mainly structured by steel and glass. The ground of exhibition hall is concrete wear-resistant while the cafe and conversation areas are laid with wooden floor. Facing the road, a newly-built curved red brick wall unites the three originally separate buildings into one, also redesigns entrances and exits of different functional spaces. All entrances and exits are equipped with anti-theft monitoring devices to ensure security and cater to  the transportation of large-scale items and installing machines. The gallery spaces are equipped with wireless network. The spotlights and circuit layout can be changed temporarily according to the demands of situation.