The White Pagoda (Baitaling) is a long-established historic landmark in the south of Hangzhou. Since the Five Dynasties period until today, it has experienced centuries of vicissitudes. Although only ruins still stand, it was admirably surveyed by Mr. Liang Sicheng and Mr. Lin Huiyin in the 1930’s. Eighty years later, the Baitaling Art Education Institute was founded on the site. Over the past decade, this has become a well-known name in Chinese education. Given the White Pagoda site and the project’s requirements, we considered: how should one integrate the site’s historical narrative into the public space of the Baitaling institution?

白塔岭艺术中心，作为机构总部，又作为一个艺术人群的接待交流中心。因此在美学高度前提下，“在地性”和“当代性”尤为重要。我们思考以当代艺术介入空间，提升该品牌的艺术性与在地性识别度。多次论证和构思后，逐步迈向这一目标：

塔，堆砌与灵性；岭，层峦叠嶂。以天然石材形态为空间主元素，通过大尺度不规则形态立面处理，结合相应动线，形成“岭”空间的戏剧张力。同时，将石材造型与现代立方体概念融合，在空间中不同比例进行堆砌、组合，既回应“塔”形式美感，又成为美术馆画廊等当代展陈空间。

The Baitaling Art Center, as the headquarters of this institution, serves as a reception center for the art world. Aesthetics, therefore, deserve a central role emphasizing the embodiment of the “local” and “contemporary.” We propose the spatial intervention of contemporary art enhancing recognition of both art and locality for the institution’s brand. After much argument and reflection, we gradually progressed towards this goal:

Towers, piles, spirit of nature, ridges, mountain ranges: natural stone forms become a basic element. Large-scale irregular shapes and minimalist facade treatments combine with corresponding moving lines to form the dramatic spatial tension of "ridges.” Concurrently, stone shapes and modern cubic concepts fuse; piles are clustered in different proportions in space like building blocks. These shapes correspond not only to an historical aesthetic “pagoda” form, but also become a contemporary exhibition space, an art gallery.

冷静与凝重的立面、地面遥相呼应，光滑与粗旷的局部肌理对比。置身这超乎现实的“石岭”空间，感受凝重气息如同低音提琴般深厚，灯光则是光明轻盈的长笛，或勾勒出背景轮廓，或如星星闪烁指引方向，或高低错落形成时空奏鸣。光，为沉静浑厚的空间中增添了动态美学。

Calm and dignified, the walls and the ground echo each other from afar, while smooth and rough areas draw contrasts. Occupying this hyperrealistic "Stone Ridge" space, one senses the imposing surroundings reverberating like a double bass. Meanwhile light, ethereal as a flute, outlines the background, sparkles as a star giving orientation, and staggers highs and lows. Orchestrating space and time, light adds dynamic aesthetics to a serene and resonant space.

少既是多原则贯穿在家具配置，选择不规则形态洽谈桌，与空间调性一致，营造开放多元的交流场景。大堂局部选择与品牌主色关联的现代材质家具，是光的载体，是体验场景，适时提供情绪扭转。

‘Less is more’ permeates furniture configuration. We choose an irregular conference table in harmony with the spatial tone to create a stage for open and diverse communication. In lobby areas, furniture of ultramodern materials reflects the institution’s contemporary brand, acts as light’s medium and enhances site experiences while opportunely providing a reversal in mood.

此外，设计洗手间做了减法，一种以返朴归真的方式，让水的形与音成为开放空间中流动的媒介。满足当下实用功能，回应主空间的“岭”语境，也因此从点到面，为白塔岭艺术中心从整体上营造出强烈的在地性识别。

Additionally, restroom amenities have been minimalized as a return to purity and simplicity that allows the shape and sound of water to act as medium for flow in space. Minimalism accommodates practical functionality while dialoguing aesthetically in the context of “ridges” with the main space. The Baitaling Art Center thus holistically constructs a strong sense of local distinction.

白塔岭项目信息：

项目时间：2019年1月－2019年3月

项目面积：250平方米

项目地址：中国，杭州

项目业主：杭州君岭科技有限公司

设计单位：Bob Chen Design Office

主创设计：陈飞波

设计管理组：胡冰、沈云峦

室内设计组：李祥、吴洪伟

家具软装组：茹燕、王媛媛

项目摄影：稳摄影

设计撰文：T-LAB

工程施工：杭州峰起建筑装饰工程有限公司

家具品牌：TOUCHFEELING, 杭州Enjoy space(avarte, HAY)

导示制作：宁波匠天标识制作有限公司

Baitaling Art school information: 

Project schedule: 2019.1 – 2019.3

Project area: 250 square meters

Address: Hangzhou, China

Client: Hangzhou Junling Technology Co., Ltd.

Design: Bob Chen Design Office

Art Director: Bob Chen

Management: Hu Bing, Shen Yunluan

Interior design: Li Xiang, Wu Hongwei

Furniture design: Ru Yan, Wang Yuanyuan

Photos: Wen Office

Author of Article: T-LAB

Construction: Hangzhou Feng Qi Building Decoration Co., Ltd.

Furniture: TOUCHFEELING, Hangzhou Enjoy space(Vitra)

^{Signage Production: Ningbo Craftsman Logo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.}