Project Name: Hive Center for Contemporary Art

Location: Beijing, China

Design Team: Penda China Architecture

Renovation Area: 3,300 square meters

Completion Time: November 2024

Photographers: Dong Lin, Xia Zhi

Feature：

Project - In the heart of Beijing's 798 Art District, Penda China Architecture has reimagined the Hive Center for Contemporary Art as a pristine white sanctuary that transcends its industrial origins. Led by architect Sun Dayong, the 3,300-square-meter renovation represents a pivotal moment in the district's evolution, marking what the design team calls the "3.0 version" of the art space.

The project boldly strips away the building's industrial heritage, replacing raw factory aesthetics with a luminous, minimalist environment that prioritizes art and spiritual experience. Drawing inspiration from architectural icons like the Pantheon and the philosophies of modernist masters such as Adolf Loos, the design distills space to its purest essence.

Dayong's concept revolves around three defining "W"s: White, Weight, and Will. The all-white interior creates a neutral canvas that allows artworks to take center stage, while a dramatic colonnade at the entrance—inspired by the Karnak Temple—introduces a sense of architectural gravitas. A grid-like roof structure in the main exhibition hall further reinforces this sense of order, with carefully placed luminous films creating an ethereal, temple-like atmosphere.

The renovation goes beyond aesthetics, reimagining functional spaces with meticulous attention to detail. A second-floor corridor acts as a landscape bridge, offering visitors unique perspectives of the interior, while open areas like the lobby and reading spaces emphasize the center's commitment to public engagement.

By transforming a former industrial space into a contemporary art haven, Penda China Architecture has created more than just a gallery—it's a spiritual journey through light, space, and artistic expression.

Design Team - Founded in 2013, Penda China Architecture has emerged as a forward-thinking architectural practice that seamlessly blends innovation, sustainability, and artistic expression. Headquartered in Beijing, the firm has distinguished itself through a commitment to what they term "LESS IS LOVE" – a design philosophy that prioritizes ecological values and harmonious relationships between human environments and architectural spaces.

Led by co-founders Sun Dayong and Chris Precht, the practice has consistently pushed the boundaries of architectural design across diverse project typologies. From cultural institutions to residential and commercial spaces, Penda has developed a reputation for creating transformative architectural experiences that transcend traditional design paradigms.

The firm's approach is characterized by a multidisciplinary methodology, integrating architectural, landscape, and interior design with a keen focus on ecological sustainability. Their portfolio demonstrates an extraordinary ability to capture the zeitgeist of contemporary design, collaborating with prestigious brands and receiving international recognition.

Notably, Penda has been repeatedly selected for the AD100 list, received the Architizer+ Awards for Emerging International Design Firm in 2016, and has been nominated for prestigious awards including the Dezeen Awards. The practice's commitment to innovative design has positioned them as a significant voice in the global architectural discourse, representing the evolving landscape of Chinese contemporary architecture.

With a vision that extends beyond mere built form, Penda China Architecture continues to challenge conventional design paradigms, creating spaces that are both intellectually provocative and deeply human-centric.