Z58

Z58 (Zhongtai Box) consists of a stereometric volume with simple geometry that dematerialises its outlines through the skilful, original use of materials, light and transparencies. It creates a minimal architecture particularly devoid of identifying signs. Located in Fanyu Road, a quiet street overlooking a villa built for the Sun Yatsen family in the 1930s on the eastern side of the dynamic city of Shanghai, the project transforms and converts an old watch factory on three levels. Kuma maintained the original cement structure, except for the part overlooking the road, where a new steel construction forms an atrium running the full height of the building and creates a fourth level for guests. In Z58, Kuma's architectural strategy is condensed into three main dividing structures: the plant wall, the blade of water and the glass 'box'. The plant wall is a linear sequence of steel boxes with a mirror finish containing tiny plants (text from www.floornature.com).