with its social network factory, PAO offers a space of play in shenzhen

with its newly completed ‘social network factory,’ people’s architecture office (PAO) activates the public space of the sea world culture and arts center in shekou, shenzhen. the playful, design-minded installation rises nearly 20 feet in height and hosts four sets of surrounding ‘pipe horns’ intertwined in a spatial grid. the horns of the bejing-based studio’s installation reach outward in multiple directions, mirroring the cantilevered volumes of the culture and art center designed by architect fumihiko maki.

image by zhang chao

people’s architecture office (PAO) introduces the social network factory in shenzhen as a more intimate, inward-looking environment, a contrast to the massive scale of the neighboring sea world culture and arts center. while the fumihiko maki-designed building directs views towards distant landscapes, the horns of the social network factory project sounds and voices to immediately adjacent areas, including the waterfront promenade, gardens and museum entrance. functioning on a human scale, small horns allow people to speak indirectly to each other while large horns are occupiable and provide cover for social activities.

image by zhang chao

the twisting tubes of the social network factory recall the maritime and industrial heritage of shekou, shenzhen. people’s architecture office designs these elements to suggest telescopes, periscopes, and public furniture that facilitate the gathering of people. the public is invited to explore the social network factory on their own terms. it is an instrument for discovering new and unexpected ways of aural, visual, and physical interaction.

image by zhang chao