Chinese design studio Wutopia Lab creates the Copper Blockhouse, which is a multifunctional cultural space that is nestled in a copper arch located in Shanghai, China. The structure measures 405 square meters and is a space that is meant to be used to host exhibitions and performances as well as parties, lectures, and skateboarding events.
Ting Yu, the chief architect of Wutopia Lab explains the design and inspiration, noting that "It was the nautical machine factory that inspired me to build this fortress the way a ship is built. The nautical machinery and ships are huge metal objects, thus, I decided to build the building entirely of metal, and copper was chosen in the end. I believe that metal shell is strong enough to protect our souls."
Image Credit: Wutopia Lab
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Multifunctional Copper Spaces
- Creating multifunctional cultural spaces enclosed in copper structures presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for designers and architects.
- Copper Arch-culture Fusions
- The fusion of copper arches and cultural spaces creates opportunities for designers to integrate architectural statements with functional cultural spaces.
- Industrial-inspired Design
- Using industrial objects as inspiration for building designs provides an opportunity to create unique and innovative structures with a strong identity.
Sectors Adopting This
- Architecture
- Architects can use copper shell-enclosed museums as inspiration to create new designs with unique materials and to provide solutions for multifunctional cultural spaces.
- Design
- Designers have an opportunity to use copper arch-culture fusions to create bold, multifunctional structures that combine art, function, and identity.
- Entertainment
- Entertainment industry professionals can use copper shell-enclosed spaces to create new and exciting venues for parties, exhibitions, performances, and other events.
