The articulation of the three rooms maximizes exhibition space and allows viewers time and space for contemplation of individual artworks. The aluminum volume that encloses the three rooms creates a box-within-a-box, serving aesthetic, atmospheric, and practical purposes: the box is visible as an object from Queen’s Road Central below; it creates a sense of protection and seclusion for the viewing of art; and allows for a controlled environment, guaranteeing museum standards for climate, acoustics, and lighting.
The refinement of the exhibition spaces – with reflective resin floors, plastered white walls, and diffused lighting – contrasts with the “found” conditions preserved in the office spaces: a bare shell structure with black concrete beams, foiled ducts on the ceiling and rough concrete floor. The refined aesthetic conditions for displaying art are kept distinct – though not hidden – from the commerce that supports it.
Courtesy of OMA
The articulated exhibition spaces also define the office spaces, creating an alternative sequence of three spaces: the assistant’s office and kitchen correspond with the first room, the office of Edouard Malingue with the central art room, and the private viewing room with the main facade. This room also contains a storage unit for art, embedded into the exhibition volume and opening up towards the viewing room through a sliding wall panel.
At night, the relationship between the two identities of the gallery is visible from the street. The lighting system makes legible the perforated aluminum panels encasing the art space and the roughness of the surrounding beam structure, with foiled ducts running above the exhibition volume.
Courtesy of OMA
David Gianotten commented: “It is very exciting to deliver our first project related to arts and culture in Hong Kong exactly a year after establishing an OMA office here. It illustrates the speed and vibrancy of this city and the fact that arts and culture are very much alive here. The project is special not only for this reason. We have been able to create two distinct kinds of the atmosphere: the refinement necessary for showing art and the hard work needed for creating exhibitions.”
Courtesy of OMA
Project Info:
Architects: OMA
Location: 8 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Partner In Charge: Rem Koolhaas
Project Leader: Giulia Foscari
Design Team: Jim Doson, Ekaterina Golovatyuk, Ravi Kamisetti, Katja Lam, Ted Lin, Betty Ng, Viviano Villarreal Bueron, Patrizia Zobernig
Project Year: 2010
Project Name: Edouard Malingue Gallery
All Images Courtesy Of OMA
