As one of the planet’s leading cities, Shanghai has its fair share of alluring cultural venues. As of late, Stockholm-based centre for contemporary photography Fotografiska has added to the city’s buzz with a new satellite venue, following the inauguration of outposts in Tallinn, New York City and Berlin, the so-called Fotografiska Shanghai has opened it doors in China‘s biggest city. The photography museum occupies a former bank warehouse built in 1931 in Suzhou Creek, an area of town named after the eponymous river which is known for its abundance of art galleries. Measuring no less than 4,637 sqm. (49,912 sq.ft.) spread across four floors, the premises feature an interior design by AIM Architecture which has meticulously preserved much of the building’s architectural legacy.
As such, the integration of original brickwork, concrete beams, and industrial details in modern spaces forms a multi-layered environment, infusing both authenticity and intrigue. Needless to say, Fotografiska Shanghai also adds to the neighbourhoods growing cultural stature. The ground floor is home to a string of facilities, such as a restaurant, bar, retail space, and and even an ice cream shop which not only add to the venue’s appeal, but also further boosts interaction with the neighbourhood. Each place blends old elements and new interventions, creating a unique settings with a welcoming ambiance. Very similar to the art of photography, the interior of Fotografiska Shanghai‘s lighting plays a pivotal role, reinforcing the allure of the various settings beyond its practical purpose.
As said, concrete is omnipresent, paying homage to the building’s industrial heritage. Transition spaces between exhibition areas serve as moments to reconnect with the building. Minimal interventions focus on essentials, preserving the industrial authenticity of the original building. Shifting into futuristic gear, the setting at Fotografiska Shanghai‘s top floor blends a traditional garden room with indoor and outdoor spaces. Mind you, there’s a spacious terrace with a bar, cozy lounge, exclusive VIP room, and of course, a terrace are all readily available. Fotografiska Shanghai currently hosts exhibitions by photographers Liu Shiyuan, Marco Brambilla, Viviane Sassen and artist duo Cooper & Gorfer. © superfuture
Fotografiska Shanghai
127 Guangfu Lu (Suzhou Creek)
200070 Shanghai
Daily 10.30am-11pm
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
