HVAC ducts characterize tubular baitasi visitor center in beijing by PAO

opening during beijing design week 2015, the visitor center and exhibition space showcases regeneration strategies for the city's baitasi district.

philip stevens November 3, 2015 2 min

HVAC ducts characterize tubular baitasi visitor center in beijing by PAO
all images by people’s architecture office and liqun zhao

for the 2015 edition of beijing design week, local practice people’s architecture office has completed a visitor center and exhibition space showcasing regeneration strategies for the city’s baitasi district. the scheme is housed within a multistory building that uses metal HVAC ducts as a type of architectural vernacular, lending the project its ‘tubular baitasi’ moniker. at ground level the metallic tubes extend from the building, forming areas of public seating.

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the visitor center opened during the 2015 edition of beijing design week

the distinctive façade aims to engage with the public in a number of different ways. firstly, the ducts spell out the chinese word 白塔寺, (meaning ‘white pagoda temple’), ensuring that the neighborhood is visible from a distance. secondly, integrated periscopes have been installed within the metal ducts, allowing passersby to find views of the surrounding urban landscape. these focal points include the 700 year-old white pagoda temple and the people’s commune building — an experimental housing complex dating back to the 1950s. members of the public can also use the periscopes to view a second floor teaching space and 3D printing workshop.

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the multistory building uses HVAC ducts as a type of architectural vernacular

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
periscopes have been installed within the metal ducts

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the tubes extend from the building, forming areas of public seating

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the entrance to the visitor center

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
upper storey exhibition space

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
regeneration strategies for the city’s baitasi district are displayed

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the ducts are also used as furniture in the basement of the building

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the main entrance to the neighborhood is visible from a distance

people's architecture office tubular baitasi visitor center BJDW beijing design week 2015 designboom
the ducts spell out the chinese word 白塔寺, meaning ‘white pagoda temple’

project info:

client: beijing design week
location: beijing, china
completed: september, 2015
principal: he zhe, james shen, zang feng
project team: cui gangjian, chen yihuai, gao tianxia, jiang hao, lin tianquan, liu qianqian, sun liming, wang wei, zhang minghui, zhou ying
photography: people’s architecture office (PAO), liqun zhao (AA visiting school beijing)