‘spiral gallery I+II’ by atelier deshaus, shanghai, chinaimage © shu heiall images courtesy of atelier deshaus

 

 

the ‘spiral galleries’, designed by chinese firm atelier deshaus, are bisected by a threshold of circulation. reflecting the principles of the yin and yang, the opposing pavilions exhibit unique characteristics that provide different experiences and still hold a strong communication with each other.

 

the ‘spiral gallery I,’ located further inland is composed of two spiraling concrete ribbons resting on the ground plane delineating a sequence that compresses and opens the space, bringing the visitor into an introspective environment protected by the curving walls. from the site, the structure seems a simple form, flat and solid, sitting heavily on the site. the user is brought to the roof plane, where the plan below is immediately made clear as they make their way across the helical contours until a series of stone steps submerges them into the central courtyard, slicing cyclical pathways of negative space into the mass.

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaibird’s eye view of both galleriesimage © yao li

 

 

 

the interior functions – kitchen, gallery area, studio, mechanical room, bathroom, and storage area – are organized in the positive space, wrapping around the exterior path of circulation bringing the visitor to unravel their journey to the very point where they started. radially-designed wooden ceiling purlins mark the rhythm of passage, extending sight lines out towards the outer transparent facade and the surrounding landscape.

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaibird’s eye view of spiral gallery Iimage © yao li

 

 

 

‘spiral gallery II’ creates a more extroverted ambiance. where the first gallery is about the journey into a solid mass, the second is about an open structure elevated into the air, displaying its character from the exterior. a glass display is rested upon a concrete base slightly below grade. the user is first brought down into a half-subterranean courtyard that penetrates to the center of the pavilion so that the enclosed structure wraps around it. a series of open and closed spaces are experienced in cycles as the user is forced to weave in and out of the gallery. the section below ground contains a glass wall exposing the lower floor to the central courtyard, with a solid concrete wall concealing the second storey. the exact inverse occurs on the program above ground, as the outer envelope is entirely made of transparent glass and thin columns allowing views over the site, and the interior wall facing the courtyard becomes solid.

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiapproach on a natural pebble path in a wooded areaimage © zhang siye

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiimage © yao li

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaistone stairs leading to the rooftopimages © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaithick vertical walls curve fluidly around the siteimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiview into the courtyard from the rooftop walkwayimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaibending concrete wall compresses space before opening to the courtyardleft image © shu heright image © yao li

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghai(left) view into the internal spaceimage © pan lingfei(right) view from the internal spaceimage © yao li

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaientrance into the gallery space from the center of the projectimage © yao li

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaigallery space screened by thin louversimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiview of spiral gallery II from the waterimage © su shengliang

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiview from the walkwayimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiexterior stairs leading to the central courtyardimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiinternal courtyardimage © shu he

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiupper galleryimage © su shengliang

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiinternal stairs to the upstairs gallery spaceimage © su shengliang

 

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghai

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaisite plan

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaifloor plan / level +1 : spiral gallery I

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghairoof purlins : spiral gallery I

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaisection: spiral gallery I

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaisection: spiral gallery I

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaiaxonometric view : spiral gallery I

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaifloor plan / level 0 : spiral gallery II

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaifloor plan / level +1 : spiral gallery II

atelier deshaus: spiral galleries in shanghaisection: spiral gallery II