Meizhou New Town Art Space by Atelier Sizhou: A Cultural Scroll of Architecture and Community

Transforming a Neo-Chinese Shell into a Contemporary Art Hub

At the heart of Meizhou New Town in Meishan, Atelier Sizhou has transformed a two-story commercial building into a multi-functional community art space—a vibrant center for exhibition, dining, and cultural exchange. The project was completed under tight time (3 months) and budget constraints, prompting a flexible, minimal-intervention approach that emphasizes material honesty, cultural relevance, and spatial fluidity.

A Scroll That Unfolds Through Space

The central design concept is a striking architectural metaphor: a continuous white scroll that weaves through the structure, acting as visual guide, divider, and display surface. This flowing element offers spatial hierarchy and narrative, referencing the traditional Chinese culture of SanSu (三苏)—a symbol of poetry, heritage, and intellectual beauty.

• The original concrete and steel elements are left raw and exposed, creating contrast with the pristine white scroll.
• The result is a harmonious tension between old and new, rough and refined, frame and content.

Shared Entry, Shared Experience

Upon entry, visitors are greeted by an atmosphere of mystery and progression. The main entrance, shared by both exhibition and dining functions, sets the tone with a trio of materials:

• Concrete slabs: grounding and textural
• Tyvek panels: translucent, diffusing light gently
• Red light boxes: contemporary accents with cultural undertones

As the scroll unfolds inside, it draws visitors through a dynamic sequence of rooms, each revealed gradually—“dozens of steps, and then it opens up.”

Exhibition & Dining: Separation Through Integration

The scroll serves dual purposes in the exhibition hall:

• As vertical wall space for hanging art
• As horizontal display platforms and spatial dividers between the exhibition and dining areas

This subtle delineation fosters fluid interaction between the two zones while maintaining clear functional separation.

In the restaurant, design takes on a more sensorial quality:

• Tyvek fabric filters natural light and adds softness
• Built-in white cabinetry and seating are shaped directly from the wall forms
• Suspended light boxes add gentle ambient glow, emphasizing calm and comfort

Second Floor: Flexibility and Future-Proofing

Upstairs, the design continues the scroll’s rhythm. Walls remain white, while the background shifts to gray, enhancing visual depth. A few smart design gestures make this space adaptive:

• Picture rail slots integrated into the wall tops, allowing flexible art arrangements
• Felt wall panels in the activity room, making it easy to pin, hang, or modify displays
• Balcony access supports outdoor exhibition potential

The second floor is a space designed not just for now—but for ongoing evolution.

A Community Canvas for Meishan

More than an adaptive reuse project, Meizhou New Town Art Space is a canvas for local identity and collective creativity. With minimal intervention and maximal intent, Atelier Sizhou has created a place that reflects the past, supports the present, and invites the future of Meishan’s art and culture.

This space reminds us that architecture is not just built form—but a living, unfolding story.

All the photographs are works of Long Feng, Wenyao Liang