ZAO Completes Sculptural Concrete Art Center in Rizhao, China
The new community art center integrates underground galleries with an open-air public ground level.
1Architectural Design Concept
ZAO, led by principal architect Zhang Ke, has completed the Rizhao Community Art Center in China's Shandong province. The 2,525-square-meter structure is situated on a wooded hillside near a lake in Bailuwan. Its design features a heavy upper volume that appears to hover, supported by three structural cores and curved beams.
2Structural Engineering Approach
The building utilizes cast-in-place concrete with insulated double-layer walls. The exterior retains the visible grain of its timber formwork, providing a textured finish to the curved surfaces. Three primary structural cores support the elevated volume while simultaneously housing the stairways, allowing the ground floor to remain largely open to the landscape.
3Open-Air Ground Level
The central level serves as a versatile public space designed for outdoor cinema, theater performances, and community gatherings. Broad, eye-shaped openings connect this sheltered area to the surrounding grassy slopes and the nearby lake. Footbridges integrate the center into the local circulation network, encouraging visitors to pass through the structure freely.
4Underground Gallery Spaces
Exhibition galleries are located beneath the hillside, accessed via a gently sloping concrete ramp. These interior spaces follow the natural topography of the terrain, with a sculptural ceiling that mirrors the contours of the ground above. Structural elements divide the area into interconnected rooms, balancing enclosed galleries with wider display zones.
5Upper Level Courtyards
The upper level features a sequence of trapezoidal courtyards and community rooms arranged along winding passages. Inspired by traditional Chinese gardens, the design alternates between enclosed interiors and pockets of open sky. A narrow opening at the junction of the volumes allows natural light and greenery to enter the stairwell areas.
6Rooftop Terrace Integration
An accessible rooftop terrace completes the building's vertical progression, offering panoramic views of the surrounding forest and lake. This space serves as a final transition point, reconnecting visitors with the natural environment after exploring the interior galleries. It functions as a sheltered area for reflection, contrasting with the open ground floor.
7Project Context and Development
The art center is part of a larger residential and resort development along the Yellow Sea coast, commissioned by the Bailuwan Group. It serves as a cultural destination for the local community, blending architectural sculpture with functional public utility. The project was completed in 2024 with structural and MEP consulting support.
8Spatial Experience Analysis
ZAO uses a singular concrete material to create distinct spatial experiences across three levels. The ground floor remains exposed to the terrain, the underground galleries focus on art within the hillside, and the upper courtyards provide private, inward-facing spaces. This arrangement ensures the building is as explorable as the landscape itself.