Aranya Art Center in Qinhuangdao, China by Neri&Hu

Located along Qinhuangdao’s picturesque Gold Coast in China, sits the art gallery Aranya. Shanghai-based architects, Neri&Hu, have designed this stunning art centre inside the seaside resort community. Like an impenetrable rock, sitting firmly in the shifting environment, the exterior of the gallery is composed of concrete in various textures. The façade and materiality of the building is heavy in nature, but smooth surfaces reflect the changing skies, while the moulded modular units pick up on the play of shadows throughout the day.

“Aranya as a community has a strong emphasis on the spiritual nature of their lifestyle ideology, a oneness with the environment,” said Neri&Hu. “The design scheme is as much about the internal courtyard, a communal space for the residents, as it is about the exhibition being displayed in the centre.”

Drawing inspiration from the seasonal ocean waters nearby—azure and calm in the summers, splintered ice though winter—the building design attempts to encapsulate the natural wonder of water at its core. The scheme maximises its outer footprint but carves out a pure conical geometry at the centre with a stepped amphitheatre at the base.

The central void can be reconfigured and used in many ways; a water feature when filled with water, or a functional performance and gathering place when the water is drained. The exhibition galleries above benefit from the public space integration, making the project much more than just a place for display, but also a place for sharing.

Within the thick mass of the building volume is a series of interlocking spaces that visitors can meander freely within, slowly ascending, enjoying a choreographed journey with directed views both inward and outward. Gallery interiors are about the enjoyment of art.

This project is no different in that regard – a spiralling path leads through all the spaces, urging visitors onwards by the desire to see more. Starting at the bottom with the Café, Multi-purpose Gallery, and an Outdoor Amphitheatre, the path crosses through five distinct galleries, culminating at the rooftop with 360-degree viewing of the activities below.

The building is a jewel in the crown of this seaside community. Bronze elements act as accents on the heavy façade to catch the light and draw attention to the entry of each gallery. Custom lighting and details add a touch of intricacy to the otherwise modest palette. In the evening, open modules allow light to shine through. Aranya Art Centre makes the most of modern of architecture—it takes a masculine, strong external form while applying the lightness and feminine qualities for the interior, reflecting the spiritual connection to the sea it overlooks.