Project: Suzhou Public Culture Centre Visitor Centre

Location: Suzhou, China

Architect: Tsing-Tien Making

Area: 250 m²

Project Year: 2024

Photographers: Wang Minjie, Liu Shucen

Feature：

Project - Nestled along the bustling Renmin Road in Suzhou’s historic Gusu District, the Suzhou Public Culture Centre Visitor Centre, designed by Tsing-Tien Making, stands as a tribute to Suzhou’s vibrant cultural heritage. The Center is a comprehensive facility, housing the Suzhou Art Museum, the Suzhou Cultural Center, and several other art institutions, making it a focal point for art, culture, and public engagement.

The design team envisioned the Civic Center as a “community living room,” combining information services, contemporary art exhibitions, relaxation spaces, and support for emerging artists. By opening up the façade and blending warm and cool materials, the structure fosters a welcoming yet modern aesthetic that invites interaction. Eleven striking roof structures of varying heights and lengths create a harmonious rhythm, giving the building a sculptural presence that both complements and enhances the surrounding urban landscape.

Inside, the design extends to suspended ceilings with an engaging “puzzle game” concept, transforming trapezoidal modular arrangements into a dynamic indoor roofscape. This modular approach simplifies construction and reduces timeframes, embodying both aesthetic appeal and functional innovation. Furthermore, modular display islands within the space mimic the outer roof structure, creating adaptable display platforms for exhibitions.

This project elevates the quality of life for the local community, providing a platform for cultural activities and a unique artistic hub for young creators. For Suzhou, it is not only a venue but a cultural icon, a testament to the city’s heritage and modernity, reimagining the role of public space in civic life.

Design Team - Founded in 2023 by Freja Bao, Tsing-Tien Making is an innovative architectural studio that approaches each project as a dialogue between historical roots and contemporary relevance. The studio’s name, meaning “Cyan Sky,” is derived from a traditional Chinese phrase highlighting the cultural significance of cyan in ancient China. With expertise spanning architectural design, renovation, art curation, and product design, Tsing-Tien Making aims to enrich public spaces by intertwining local cultural heritage with modern architectural sensibilities.

Freja Bao’s international experience in the UK and Japan has deeply influenced her design philosophy, bridging cultural nuances with contemporary aesthetics. Under her leadership, Tsing-Tien Making’s design process begins with a profound respect for tradition, meticulously delving into historical narratives to craft designs that resonate with contemporary life. The studio’s projects are grounded in an architectural language that blends thoughtful material choices with spatial harmony, creating environments that are not only functional but also symbolically potent.

Through projects such as the Suzhou Civic Cultural Center, Tsing-Tien Making manifests its commitment to community-centered architecture, reimagining public spaces as engaging, artistic landmarks. The studio’s focus on modularity and adaptability ensures each space can evolve with its community, fostering inclusivity and accessibility. By reinterpreting architectural forms, Tsing-Tien Making places human experience at the forefront, enhancing the public's connection to the cultural and social fabric of their environment.