UCCA REGENERATION

Studio : VS-A.HK+SZ
Client : UCCA
Architect : OMA
Contractor : North Glass
Location : Beijing, China

The new visual identity created by OMA for UCCA in Beijing is based on visible transparency. We investigated the different ways to express this concept, and selected a variety of different curved glass shapes. Not only the reflected surroundings generate interesting  visual effects, but also the tiny imperfections that the curving process sometimes printed on the glass surface.

Frames are monolithic lasercut stainless steel profiles. 6 months were sufficient for doing the design, the tender and finally get it all constructed by Northglass.

Northglass is probably more famous abroad than in China itself, so we were luckily surprised that they showed such high interest in this small project. No one ever said the project was simple, but the production appeared to be very challenging, and the most complicated glass type, in Ω shape, required over 10 unsuccessful tests before the glass specialist found the way to get it done.

Although Northglass has one of the most modern factories in the world, the feasibility of such glasses still rely on the experience and the know-how of a few men.

Chapeau!