Former industrial complex in China shines after residential conversion

Looking at their colourful yellow facades you might not know that these apartments were once abandoned industrial buildings in China.

Architects MAT Office have transformed a coastal site in the Laishan district into a residential complex for young people that makes smart use of outdoor space against the limits of the building’s height and former heritage.

GALLERY  

In a region where many people don’t have much space and skyscrapers dominate the skyline, the recently completed project aims to emphasise the outdoor space and make it apart of everyday living at the site.

When designing the ‘Yantai Port apartment’,  the two lead architects Tang Kangshuo and Zhang Miao emphasised the yellow outdoor facade which creates a shadow over the windows.

The angle of each inner wall is unique and therefore the shadows form differently creating a visually appealing effect.

There are three apartment buildings- two connected by a large corridor that creates another large indoor space and one that sits in isolation.

Communal spaces emerge in the lobby, quiet courtyard and open green space is located on the east side.

Additionally on the roof of the original two-story storehouse, there are dining, kitchen, laundry spaces and fitness equipment available.

The coastal complex contains 102 units in total, with five room types ranging in size, all slightly smaller than traditional apartments.

Each unit is divided into three or four spaces using modular partitions that can be moved, creating the entrance, bathroom, living area, sleeping area and extended workspace.

Facing the inner courtyard are translucent 200mm-wide square glass bricks which light shines through and refracts shadows, while at night the artificial light of inside permits a fuzzy orange glow outside through the glass.

Images courtesy of Tang Kangshuo for MAT Office

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