the shanghai based practice, interval architects, has designed a new botanic art center in the hebei province of china. the ?tower of bricks? project is located between a wetland park and the city of hengshui. after a government plan to convert the wetland into a botanic park, the scheme called for the design of an art center in the existing hoffman brick kiln, which was previously abandoned on the site.

southwest façade, all images courtesy of interval architects
 
 
the concept behind the architect?s design aims to recall the history of the kiln within the new architecture. the new botanic art center is mainly a gallery showcasing plants, potteries and floral art. the new building is therefore a public facility that contrasts with the old kiln which was a building purely for industrial production. with the intention to connect to the spatial history of the place, the art center has a massing and composition that refers to the old kiln but is programmed with contemporary functions and experiences.
overlooking the west façade by the lake
 
 
the observation tower preserves the symbol of the former chimney and it has been made accessible allowing people to ?climb up the chimney.?  the composition of the botanic art center conceptually refers to the old hoffman kiln with a looped and vaulted space that surrounds a central courtyard. along the vaulted arcade, several courtyards are proposed and break the spatial continuity, creating a connection between the interio...