Wutopia Lab reveals "shimmering whale" Shanghai museum

Chinese studio Wutopia Lab has created Copper Blockhouse, a multi-functional cultural space located inside a copper arch in Shanghai, China.

The 405-square-metre structure was designed as the centrepiece of a creative industry park located in the Pudong district and will be used to host exhibitions, performances, lectures, parties, and even skateboarding events.

Wutopia Lab used the original structure on the site, a bicycle shed with an arched steel roof, and extended the structural steel on both sides to form the building's envelope.

This was then clad in copper plates both internally and externally.

"It was the nautical machine factory that inspired me to build this fortress the way a ship is built," explained Ting Yu, chief architect of Wutopia Lab.

"The nautical machinery and ships are huge metal objects, thus, I decided to build the building entirely of metal, and copper was chosen in the end," Yu added. "I believe that metal shell is strong enough to protect our souls."

According to Yu, the sense of protection expressed through the project not only reflects the cultural function of the space as a healing medium for stressed urban residents, but also references the history of an air raid shelter at the site that has been preserved.

An enclosed space made from stainless steel has been placed inside the structure and houses a cafe, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

A side entrance on the cultural centre's facade opens up to an outdoor wading pool clad in black tiles. The water level can be controlled to create a pathway at the centre of the pool, which can be used as a catwalk.

"This makes the museum become a submarine emerging from the water, a shimmering whale," said Yu.

Wutopia Lab was founded by Yu along with Erni Min in 2013. The firm's previous projects include a museum with fluid forms influenced by the inky brushstrokes of traditional Chinese paintings, and a guesthouse near Suzhou with rooms that appear to float within its gabled volume.

The photography is by CreatAR Images.

Project credits:

Chief architect: Ting YuProject manager: Zhilin MuDesign team: Kejie Mi, Nan Xu, Ruoyu DaiConstruction drawing design firm: Shanghai Southeast United Engineering Design Co., LtdConstruction firm: Shanghai Qikufangyun Culture Technology Co., LtdLighting consultant: Chenlu Zhang

Dezeen is on WeChat!

Click here to read the Chinese version of this article on Dezeen's official WeChat account, where we publish daily architecture and design news and projects in Simplified Chinese.

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

Wutopia Lab completes museum and dance studio influenced by ...

Sliced openings reveal internal layout of Suzhou guesthouse ...

Wutopia Lab creates chocolate-informed pavilion on Shanghai farm

Wutopia Lab and Office ZHU wrap bookstore in perforated ...

Wutopia Lab's latest bookstore in Shanghai borrows from ...

Wutopia Lab creates dreamlike minimalist forest in Huzhou

Wutopia inserts inverted triangular lightwell into book shop

China's Lolly-Laputan cafe is designed to be an educational ...

Visit our comments page | Read ourcomments policy