Firm： GBBN

Type： Cultural › Cultural Center Gallery Hall/Theater Sculpture Educational › Other

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2018

A REFLECTIVE EDGE

VANKE CORPORATION, TIANJIN COMMUNITY CENTER

As a bustling port city expands, a community center in tune with its natural surroundings creates a focal point for a new neighborhood.

In a region once known for farming and fisheries, a new lifestyle district is taking root north of China’s Bohai Bay. The Tianjin Community Center takes its cues from both the area’s industrial heritage as well as its wetlands, rivers, and tributaries.

Sited close to the water’s edge, the building—which houses an ecological art museum, music hall, and visitor reception area— almost appears to float.

The distinctive, yet low-profile roof canopy captures the reflection of the water below it, and captures the easy rhythm of life in the area. Natural materials with an industrial edge—such as dark gray Mongolian stone and Core-Ten steel— were used on the exterior.

The Core-Ten retaining wall at the entrance transitions to a perforated skin under an expansive entry canopy supported by wishboned beams.