Jiadu Art Center redefines residences as a community art hub
Located in a residential development completed in 2021 in Yanjiao, Hebei province, Jiadu Art Center by MINOR lab responds to wider changes of China urban developmentwhere emphasis is placed from the expansion to the conversion of the existing building stock. Within a context largely defined by housing, the intervention reconfigures three distinct spaces, an auxiliary structure, an adjacent commercial areaand a residential unit, in a connected system comprising a community art center, cafeand artists studio. Together, these elements create a supportive network reportsocial interaction and creative production, offering a model for small-scale activation in residential environments.
The art center is organized as flexible interior which accepts multiple uses through adaptable spatial systems. Working within the constraints of the existing structure and services, the intervention adopts a light-touch strategy, relying on reconfiguration rather than extensive reconstruction. A movable wall system allows the space to shift between separated zones and a continuous open area. This allows the center to host exhibitions, workshops, lectures, screenings and community activities.
Existing columns are integrated into the design via steel-framed enclosures clad in straw, forming hybrid elements that combine seating, display and hidden storage. Modular The furniture further supports flexibility, allowing configurations to be adjusted or refined as needed. These systems create a spatial context that can be continually redefined through use.
Jiadu Art Center: exhibition space
The MINOR workshop extends material continuity through flexible layouts
For the cafe, MINOR lab’s design team extends the spatial and material strategies of the art center, organizing the interior through a sequence of defined zones. The entrance is structured to drive movement inward, using contrasts in material and form. The existing glass facade is preserved and combined with a continuous low table, creating a visual and spatial connection with the outside. A wood false ceiling introduces curvature to the space while concealing services and defining the main seating area. Sculptural volumes formed from stacked straw act as projection elements, enhancing the spatial organization. Service functions are consolidated into a single volume clad in hot-rolled steel, creating a clean core within the design. Variations in material and layout create differentiated areas that support both collective use and more private occupation.
The artist studio adapts two adjacent residential units into a flexible workspace and living environment. The removal of non-load-bearing walls creates a continuous visual axis along the floor plan, while the original floor height allows the introduction of a partial mezzanine. A mobile wall system separates and connects the work and living areas as needed, also acting as storage and display for artwork. Light conditions are managed through adjustable blinds and sliding panels, ventilation support, privacy and daylight control. Custom furniture elements, including a multi-purpose table, accommodate different uses within the limited footprint. The studio is designed as an adaptable framework that supports evolving creative practices.
A consistent palette of materials connects the three spaces. Terrazzo flooring provides a continuous surface, while hot-rolled steel introduces an industrial character through its finish and details. Strawboard is used to create volumetric elements with functional and spatial roles, adding texture and warmth. The combination of these materials establishes continuity throughout the project, while allowing each space to maintain distinct spatial qualities.
Jiadu Art Center : movable wall in use
By reconfiguring existing residential and commercial spaces, Jiadu Art Center, developed by MINOR lab, creates a distributed network that supports cultural activity within a residential-dominated context. The intervention demonstrates how limited, targeted modifications can create new forms of public use. As the project has evolved, additional creative spaces have emerged in the surrounding area, expanding its impact. Through gradual transformation and adaptable spatial strategies, the design supports the gradual formation of a community-based art ecosystem.
Jiadu Art Center : exhibition in progress
Jiadu Art Center: exhibition space
Community Café: communal seating and the volume of the screen
Community Café: low bar table along the glass facade
Community Café: counter service
Community Café: straws stacked to form sculptural display volumes
Artist’s studio: view from the entrance to the window
Artist’s studio: view from the workspace to the living room
Artist’s studio: view from the kitchen to the work area
Artist’s studio: view towards the entrance and storage area
project information:
name: Jiadu Art Center, Community Café and Artist Studio
architect: MINOR workshop
area: 533 sq.m
location: Yanjiao, Hebei Province, China
customer: Jiadu
chief architect: LIU Chen
project manager: ZAO Dan
construction supervisor: JIN Weixi
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edited by: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom
