Playwright Bertolt Brecht proposed a theatrical theory of the "alienation effect," which involves breaking the "fourth wall" between actors and the audience. The purpose of this theory is to guide the audience's independent thinking and avoid becoming too emotionally involved in the play. We wondered what might happen if we applied this theory to spatial design, which sparked our thoughts for this project.
Background
Enlightenment Art Academy is an educational institution focused on children's art, founded by a group of young people. As their first store, the owner gave significant attention and investment to the design.
The store is located in a newly built community shopping mall, with a rectangular layout and very simple site conditions, much like a blank canvas for us to imagine.
An Open Theater
At the beginning of the design process, we first approached the project as an operational mechanism. The space was divided into two parts: the exterior, which serves as a promotional space with a reception area and exhibition area; and the interior, which functions as a teaching space with classrooms and logistics areas. Like a program, the operations of the internal and external spaces are interconnected.
We used the gallery as a reference type for the exterior space, as its display characteristics have a similar connection to the promotional needs of this project. It is a multi-functional space: the reception desk, parent waiting area, and gallery are combined, and some classrooms open towards the gallery form windows, treating both the classrooms and teaching outcomes as exhibits.
The entrance is fully open to the mall walkway, allowing free access for people to enter and view. Within the gallery's sightline, one can see the display of works, observe the scenes of ongoing classes, and notice parents waiting and staff at the reception. The operational mechanism of the art institution is visualized, creating a series of overlapping scenes between the space and people.
Like an open theater, passersby can watch from outside or freely step into the gallery and become objects of observation for others.
Abstract symbol
The "theater" backdrop is composed of several misaligned cubes, echoing Venturi's notion that "architecture is a shelter with symbols." As an institution focused on children's art, we wanted the space to present a primitive abstraction of art education. By using circles and squares as basic symbols, we derived a series of images and applied them to the shapes of the gallery space, windows, exhibition stands, and furniture.
Conclusion
Through the establishment of type and form language, the space gradually took shape. This open gallery is not a traditional display window: its blurred boundaries allow people to freely step in, creating interactions between the inside and outside. When people view the gallery, the abstract treatment of shapes creates a sense of unfamiliarity that stands out from the surrounding environment. This unfamiliarity often prompts further observation and judgment.
Ultimately, the gallery seeks to present an internal structure. From a structuralist perspective, this comprehensive display allows people to gain a more complete understanding of the institution, rather than leaving a single visual impression. For this project, the space itself is the best advertisement.
Project Name: Enlightenment Art Academy
Project Type: Interior
Project Location: Shanwei City, Guangdong Province
Principal Designer: Huang YingHang
Design Team: Wu ZiJun、Chen ShiShi
Completion Date: 2024
Area: Nearly 238㎡
Material: Aluminum mesh、Galvanized Steel Sheet、Veneer、Microcement Ceramic Tiles、Microcement
Project Photography: URBAN NoMAD
