Page 68 - Designing Ways 267

ALL ABOUT
ART

M2 Art Centre

An Inverted Valley Towards Inner Journeys

2 Art Centre is a multifunctional and a half metres and the end being a ten-
art space located in Hangzhou, meter high space. When Yan Pan, the chief
Mwhich originated from a designer of SpActrum, initially explored
wedding dress showroom. The initial the site, the basic storyline of M2 Art centre
function setting of the space triggered a had already been outlined based on the
reflection on women and their choices in preliminary on-site conditions: stepping
marriage and relationships: Marriage is into the sunken swimming pool, the sense
no longer a default option for everyone in of height in the main space was further
contemporary society but rather a rational stretched, and standing at the end of the
choice for individuals to grasp their own pool, looking up at the ten-meter high
lives. end space, Pan instantly felt a strong sense
Therefore, can a contemporary comm- of sacred calling. The strong connection
ercial exhibition space be expanded into between the designer and the site made
a mind-body journey with some psychic it clear that the design of M2 should be
touch, providing an opportunity for based on respect for the power of the place,
introspection and contemplation of life seeking to express its spatial potentials.
before the wedding moment? Can a space
imbued with profound meaning serve Aesthetic of Transforming Conflicts
as a versatile venue in the city, hosting In SpActrum's design philosophy,
various artistic and design activities? The contemporary everyday expressions
design team SpActrum and the owner of are characterised by discreteness,
M2 embarked on an unusual exploration fragmentation, and conflicts. SpActrum
together. believes that rather than avoiding or
mitigating these conflicts, the aesthetic
Initial Site Visiting of fragmentation and conflicts are the
The site of M2 is located in the plinth of defining characteristics of our time. In
a high-rise office building, and the original non-pure cultural spaces, designers must
space was a gym space with a swimming confront the important challenge of how
pool. The spatial sequence of the site begins to appropriately adapt to the functional
at the square elevator hall on one side of characteristics of the space while
the main space, followed by the more than continuing to explore the architecture.
40-meter long strip-shaped main space, The unique and daring architectural
with the floor partially sinking about one language of M2 Art Centre, along with

68 Issue 267 • dw