C’è fermento architettonico e culturale nel vecchia zona industriale di Baoshan a Shanghai, dove prosegue il cantiere del GART, ovvero il Glass Art and Research Technology Park.
Ampio circa 30mila metri quadri, il nuovo Centro per le Arti del Vetro accoglierà laboratori scientifici, atelier di scultura e un business park per un totale di 22 edifici.
Il primo intervento ultimato è quello del Museo del vetro firmato dai tedeschi Logon Architects.
Il progetto ha visto la rifunzionalizzazione di un’ex fabbrica di vetro ampia oltre 6.200 metri quadrati.
Una grossa parte degli elementi in cemento ed acciaio è stata recuperata. La facciata esterna dell’edificio è costituita da pannelli di vetro industriale, rivestiti in smalto nero, su cui è possibile leggere alcuni dei termini chiave dell’arte vetraria, tradotti in moltissime lingue del mondo. Nelle ore notturne gli schermi sono retroilluminati grazie a un sistema LED, creando uno scenografico “effetto lanterna”.
La collezione permanente è situata nel corpo principale, mentre l'accesso alla struttura è situato in un piccolo volume circondato da un guscio esterno progettato ad hoc dallo studio ed ospitante uffici, bagni, e la hall d'ingresso. Nel corpo principali sono situati anche uno spazio per la dimostrazione dal vivo della soffiatura del vetro, bookshop, ristorante, caffetteria.
Located in Shanghai’s Baoshan District, this former glass manufacturing site covers a total area of
29,612sqm including thirty existing buildings varying in age and scale. logon developed the entire 20
year strategic development plan renaming the site to G+ Glass Theme Park (Glass, Art, Research and
Technology Park). Phase one includes the Shanghai Museum of Glass and a hot glass show covering a
total site area of 5,785sqm.
The decision was made to design a glass museum in phase one. As the site location is not well known
due to the projects’ inconvenient location, a ‘Loss Leader’ status for the first phase was decided. This
business concept was chosen as the entire site needed a way to build brand awareness of the site and
value of the surrounding land; at the same time add value to the Baoshan district and community, thus
the Shanghai Glass of Museum concept was realized. Following phases of G+ Glass Theme Park
include; a sculpture yard in phase two, a science park in phase three and a business park in phase four
all supported by commercial facilities planned to be complete by 2018.
A ‘type two’ museum; infusing innovation to an old idea
The Shanghai Museum of Glass is one of the only glass museums in China; but this is not what makes it
unique. After the logon lab developed the G+ Glass Theme Park development strategy, a key project
positioning decision was made; to develop phase one into a ‘Type Two’ multifunctional glass museum.
Type Two museums differ from regular (Type One) museums as in this case where the site is not
located downtown or near convenient public transportation for easy access. People are happy to visit a
regular museum for short periods of time due to convenience; however, it would be challenging to
expect someone invest over two hours by car or bus to visit a museum for only an hour. Another key
feature of type two museums is that they are multifunctional; they must provide enough activities and
entertainment to attract people to spend at least two hours or longer. In addition to its glass themed
exhibition, the Shanghai Museum of Glass does this through its’ hot glass shows, DIY workshops,
lectures, libraries, and other interactive activities all designed to attract and educate a variety of target
groups creating value and incentive for people to visit.
Shanghai Museum of Glass – architecture that embraces the old and the new
The Shanghai Museum of Glass multifunctional design combines exhibitions with hot glass shows, DIY
workshops, lectures, libraries, restaurants, coffees, events, shops, public space and so on. Its’ sustainable
adaptive reuse design and modern feel incorporate old and new ideas making it the first of its’ kind in
China. The Entrance Plaza is the face of the museum enabling immediate recognition and recall for
visitors where it guides people into the museum, hot glass show and surrounding areas. The new
entrance building stands on the Entrance Plaza acting as a welcoming platform for the museum.
Contrasting the dark facade with the bright lobby interior creates a unique first impression for visitors to
the museum. The facade is made from U shaped glass imported from Germany, sand blasted and
enameled to reveal transparent glass-related words in various languages. Behind the glass facade is a
LED backlight that allows light to glow through each word on its black background; the final effect is
breathtaking by night. The Shanghai Museum of Glass will educate and entertain thousands of visitors
whilst adding value to the local district government and people for years to come.
Design team:
Creative Director Frank Krueger, project manager: Mario Barkley, member: Pascal Hartmann, Heather, Jiang yongcai, Jin Youyan, Wangjing, Guo jing
Photographer: Jan Siefke
Total site area: 40,300sq.m
Total GFA: 81,000sq.m
Phase 1
Functions: museum, hot glass show
Site area/GFA: 5,900sqm / 5,500sq.m