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Studi Preseden
Studi Preseden
From the architect. ACE Cafe is a famous london R&B themed restaurant.
For its first branch in China, the original 751 train station within the 798 art zone
was chosen to be renovated into its first face. Apart from the heavy metal theme,
we hope to revitalize the cold building through digital technology and mechanic
engineering techniques, to fill the atmosphere with breathing space and digital
charm, as well as to achive a long dreamt deformable architecture for architects.
Exploded Isometric
Maintaining the major structure of the 751 train station as much as we can, as well as the
current industrial style, we reconstructed the north facade of the building with operable windows of
glass, using the same segmentation as the one in ACE london. As for the west facade, in
consideration of occasional car entrance during function times, we designed a deformable metal
facade controlled by the bar. When the metal wall is completely open, it turns a flat wall into a complex
metal structure like a blooming metal flower, in memory of the punk and R&B culture.
The same we applied on the interior wall behind the bar, rise from a flat metal wall, bloom,
and then return to its initial stage, like the breathing of a vivid life. All of the deformation are achived by
the gears behind. Inspirated by the old steam locomotive right by the site, it also illustrates our
understanding of the punk culture.
Based on the respect and protection of the existing building, no perminant architecture could
be added on site and thus, we use containers on the west side of the train station to assemble to
whole structure, and form a composite composed of cafe and car repair zoneon the first floor, platform
and office on the second floor. And the design matches the style of original train station.
Norscode
The Caf at the Creative Alliance is the last piece of a 10-year redevelopment of the former Patterson
Theater into an urban arts center and community anchor. Budget constraints and the challenge of
actually fitting a commercial kitchen, bar and dining room into the remaining 1,300 sqf had delayed the
build-out of the space for almost a decade and a successful design relied on formal restraint and an
opportunistic attitude to all possibilities.
Architects: PI.KL Studio & Kroiz Architecture
Location: Baltimore, MD
Project Area: 1,300 sqf
Project Year: 2011
Photographs: Norscode
Norscode
The spatial organization is based on the dining area formally coinciding with the concrete projection
room suspended above the main level of the original theater (from an era of flammable celluloid film).
The found surfaces, board-cast concrete resting on steel beams of the ceiling and the blackened brick
interior of the building facade, provided rich natural materiality. The logic for new materials pursued a
complementary materiality and a thematic connection to an essential Baltimore palette.
Norscode
The bar is clad in hot-rolled steel plate reflecting the existing structural steel and blackened brick. Its
white marble top illuminates its patrons and recalls the citys marble stoops. The end walls, which
conceal the kitchen and form the main entry, are clad in reclaimed floor joist from neighboring row
houses. The new Caf accommodates exhibits, performances, and a mural showcasing the talent of
local artists