Art depot_Community Art Center

This project explores community needs and proposes solutions for preserving the existing values of the site, aiming to serve the community while ensuring the city’s development does not forget its past.
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Designer(s) : Đồng Như Phương

University : University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City

Tutor(s) : Nguyễn Bích Hoàn

Project Description

Saigon, with over 300 years of history, is a dynamic city blending tradition and modernity. The “Community Art Center” project integrates old and new structures on the historic Depot Chí Hòa site. As train repair facilities are relocated, the site becomes a potential space for a new community hub. The design strategy focuses on creating various meeting points, including:

  1. Architectural Meeting Points: Combining the architectural heritage of industrial buildings, vaulted spaces, and train carriages with modern design to create a seamless connection between old and new spaces.
  2. Community and Artistic Meeting Points:
    • Tangible Meeting Points: Existing structures like warehouses, water towers, and the turntable are used as community gathering spots. The largest train repair warehouse serves as the central hub, linking the park with the art space, and the turntable is converted into an outdoor performance stage.
    • Intangible Meeting Points: The design integrates artistic activities into the old structures while placing community functions in the new architecture, fostering a sense of familiarity for all users. The train repair workshop is transformed into an art studio.
  3. Traditional and Contemporary Art Meeting Points: The plaza connects to an outdoor art space along the railway, bridging two new architectural blocks dedicated to traditional and contemporary art.

Artistic Activity Meeting Points: Movable partitions and open halls replace fixed walls to accommodate diverse artistic activities. The train area is reimagined as a flexible outdoor space, with train carriages serving as dynamic art installations, adaptable to community events, and each area functioning as a stage for art.