saporiti italia opens multi-functional BA art space in shanghai

designed by saporiti italia, the renovated BA art space in shanghai has recently opened to the public. providing gallery spaces, a gift shop and a café along the city’s huangpu river, the project is located just a few minutes away from the historic area of the bund. the opening of the gallery will play a central role in the city’s riverfront master plan, which includes various structures specifically dedicated to art and innovation.

‘the special character of the building and its location has inspired the design approach for the project’, says saporiti italia. ‘the existing spaces were preserved and implemented to provide a flexible space adaptable to the different uses required by the client.’ the firm divided the BA art space into three distinct functional compartments: the dark gallery, an intimate exhibition space with black box studio for sound and video installations; the bright gallery, a large white space drenched in light via two skylights — perfect for large scale installations, public events and workshops; and the gardens, green spaces with a bar and seating area that serve as the entrance to the galleries.

the project is located just a few minutes away from the historic area of the bund

the project actively engages in the ongoing conversation about the functionality of traditional art spaces, and whether an update to conventional ways of viewing art is needed. the ‘one size fits all’ white cube is seen here in the form of the bright gallery, but the large scale layout and resultant physical space between the artworks is a noteworthy and interesting consequence of the design. its generous dimensions adds to the flexibility of the space, meaning more casual functions like presentations and workshops can co-exist with public exhibitions.

the opening of the gallery will play a central role in the city’s riverfront master plan

‘the debate over what kind of architecture better serves the role of displaying, selling and discussing art has been growing in the last few years. should all art be displayed in the same way? should it always be presented in a room of certain dimensions? in a space of a certain colour?’ questions luca rizzi brignoli of saporiti italia. 

downstairs, the dark gallery investigates these questions with a dimly lit, atmospheric exhibition space dedicated to new media. the rich, natural light of the bright gallery is here replaced by the subtle backlight and artificial illumination of the various works on display. flexibility is key to the firm’s vision; the lighting setup, circulation route and services design are all adaptable to the gallery’s multiple and ever changing programs.

the project actively engages in the ongoing conversation about the functionality of traditional art spaces

the large scale layout and physical space between the artworks is a noteworthy consequence of the design

its generous dimensions adds to the flexibility of the space

dark gallery is a dimly lit, atmospheric exhibition space dedicated to performance and new media.

the spaces play with conventional ideas of light and space

flexibility is key: the lighting, circulation route and services are all adaptable to the gallery’s multiple programs

‘should all art be displayed in the same way?‘ questions luca rizzi brignoli of saporiti italia

the special character of the building and its location has inspired the design approach for the project

the existing spaces were preserved to provide a flexible space, adaptable to many different uses

project info:

architects: alessandro milani, luca rizzi brignoli for saporiti italia
client: BA art industry beijing
area: 2000 sqm

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom