Reviving the Past: New Age Transformation of an Abandoned Factory

Li Yu Chen and Hang Zhao's Award-Winning Design Breathes Life into an Old Beijing Factory

The New Age Transformation project is located in the Jijiamiao Industry Park, where ten abandoned factory buildings stand. The designers chose Factory No. 8, due to its prominent location, to become an incubator for culture and the science industry. The design was inspired by the large space of the old factory, which required multilevel extensions to enrich it. The designers introduced the technique of architecture within architecture, creating diverse scenery and a rhythm within the space.

What sets this design apart is its ability to preserve the beauty of the old factory while introducing elements of modern design. The mottled texture of the old factory buildings presents a unique artistic beauty, and the designers decided to keep this look, using minimal decorative materials. The main internal walls stacked with red bricks and the structures of the ceilings are exposed, displaying an aura of simplicity. Glass curtains enhance the visibility of active lines and dimensions in the space.

The design process involved the use of H-shaped steel, square steel pipes, 10 mm steel plates, glass curtain, membrane structure ceiling with built-in LED lighting, self-leveling floor cement, solid wood floors, composite wood flooring, and red brick. The project, which started in 2018 and finished in 2019, now houses cafes, restaurants, libraries, joint offices, and other public facilities, fulfilling and enriching the office space.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was merging the old and the new. The designers curated details impressionistically, evoking nostalgia and resonating with people. The exquisiteness of the corresponding and merging between the old and the new emerges when nostalgia is evoked. Hence, the project is integrated with historical perception and the beauty of the old building is enhanced.

The New Age Transformation project is a testament to the power of design in preserving history while paving the way for the future. It is a remarkable example of how old, abandoned spaces can be transformed into vibrant, functional spaces that cater to the needs of the modern age. The project not only won the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021 but also breathed new life into the old factory, making it a symbol of the transformation from the imperial city to the new age.