Vanke · City Growth Hall

In the eastern suburb memory in chengdu, china, MDO has transformed an old state-run hongguang electronic tube factory into a vivid ‘vanke·city growth hall’.The original building founded in 1958, which produced once oscilloscopes and kinescopes for the military.MDO prioritized a clear transition between old and new, maintaining traces and history of the existing building and inserting a series of new contrasting elements.



As a continuity of the past, the oscilloscope became the design’s starting point, with the "Big Bang of Knowledge" as the spatial concept.

The explosion begins in the center of the old structure, while the energy splits to create new spatial forms, which are mapped to all corners of the old factory, interspersing with the historic walls and column networks. In the explosive proliferation of space, technological materials and lights clash and blend with the old factory building, bringing new sensory impact and dramatic feeling to visitors.



As the social heart, the staircase space communicates the idea of a core that different people and functions can meet. based on this strategy, the staircase employs wide steps, allowing informal meeting and relaxation spaces.Lining the stairs is a customized ceramic tile will depicting clusters of hibiscus mutabilis found locally in Chengdu which inspired by the poem 'The wet red patches in Chengdu's twilight, are flower branches, heavier but bright'.



The ground floor features a cafe functioning as a public space which blurs the boundary between inside and out. its form is conceived as a layered bamboo box inserted into the grey concrete structure. the layers are folded out to create space for sitting, tables, and serving coffee to the street. along the perimeter takes shape a deep bamboo seat creating a relaxing space inviting passers-by to stop, relax and enjoy a coffee. a large picture window with a sliding glass screen can open up on warmer days, creating a strong visual connection between the city and the interior.



In an homage to the site history of manufacturing, the bar’s ceiling includes a light installation made up of rows of 160 black and white light cathode-ray televisions.