The SipSeek space is a hybrid venue that combines the craft beer space (SipSeek) with the contemporary gallery (SuSpace). The space aims to create an exploratory experience, where one can discover both art within the gallery and the spirit of art within the world of craft beer. The project is located in the Baiyuan Yungu area of Songjiang District, Shanghai, the site was originally a garment factory before being transformed into a cultural and creative park.
Modern craft beer originates from traditional beer culture and has gradually evolved into a vast cultural system through continuous technological and conceptual innovation. The culture behind craft beer, using alcohol as a medium, showcases its individuality, independence, inclusivity, and innovation. It opens the door to the spiritual realm, allowing people to enter different planes of consciousness and engage in profound dialogue.
The rotunda has a height-to-width ratio of approximately 2:1, creating a space for dialogue with the spiritual world. At different times of the day, the light casts varying shapes on the cylindrical walls, allowing one to savor the beer while quietly awaiting the passing of time.
Here, time seems to be slowed down. People can sit on the curved seats, hold a glass of wine in their hands, and quietly feel all the emotions that time and space evoke. Every sip of wine is an exploration of one's inner self; each raise of the glass is a conversation with the spiritual realm.
The space unfolds around the rotunda, radiating outward. There is no clear boundary between the craft beer space and the gallery, with changes in elevation signaling shifts in the space. This design also provides great flexibility for exhibition layout, allowing interactive and installation pieces to be placed within the craft beer space. The two areas are interconnected and intertwined, creating a sense of roaming between the craft beer space and the gallery.
From the main entrance, three steps lead down into the rotunda This change in elevation creates a tier of seating that surrounds the inner side of the cylinder, forming a centripetal space.
The seating on the second floor is arranged on the outer side of the cylinder, offering excellent views through the glass curtain wall. Inside the rotunda, the original structural beams create a central corridor. Along with several openings, this design creates a space with multiple viewpoints, allowing for a dynamic visual connection between different areas.
On the third floor, the seating is positioned on the inner side, with the cylinder extending upward to become the backrest of the chairs. Four curved tables are arranged together to form a round table, ideal for hosting various salon events. When not in use for events, the tables can be dispersed and serve as dining tables for the bar.
The circulation space is not just a vertical element connecting different levels; it is a functional "art piece." The stairs extend from the bar area to the exhibition space, serving both as a means of connecting the upper and lower spaces and as a platform or seating during events. The combination of the stairs and partition walls creates a rich visual exchange space.
The office area has a separate entrance and reception space, ensuring that the office and public-facing business areas are designed to keep their circulation paths separate, while remaining interconnected through concealed doors.
The reception area and office are connected by a hidden circulation route. These spaces can function independently from the bar's circulation path, creating a separate route. Alternatively, they can be accessed directly through concealed doors into the craft beer space. This design ensures the independence of public and private areas while allowing for flexibility, with certain spaces opening up depending on the needs of different events.
The SipSeek space is not just a fusion of a craft beer bar and a gallery, but also a spiritual space where people can temporarily escape the hustle and bustle and find inner tranquility. The soft curves of the architecture, the warm interplay of light and shadow, and the tranquil atmosphere all come together to create a dialogue between people and space. Everything here seems to tell us, that in this world of steel and concrete, we all need to find a corner where our souls can be at rest, and our spirits can experience a moment of freedom.
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