Vanke Triple V Gallery by Ministry of Design

In the municipality of Tianjin, China, there are a number of architectural attractions that range from the grandiose Tianhou Palace to the bedazzling Jinwan square.
However, speaking in terms of shiny, brand new constructions, the renown Ministry of Design had been selected to design  the Triple V Gallery. Now this building is more than a simple construction with designated interiors, it’s “an icon along the Dong Jiang Bay” as the MOD modestly describes it.

Built in 2011, the 750 square meter structure was designed as a permanent gallery and tourist information office for Vanke, the largest real estate developer in China. The triangulated floor plan is a result of the contextual and pragmatic parameters required by the cleent. Both the information office and gallery have their own entrances with separate pedestrian pathways, and can be operated independently. Between the two main areas, there is a lounge for discussion. This space takes advantage of the scenic views of the sea, whilst serving as a cushion between the other two spaces of the structure.

The site’s proximity to the beachfront was the primary source of inspiration, the color palette and materials -corten steel for the exterior and timber strips in the interior- constantly echo the environment in which the structure is found. Nevertheless, the surrounding governmental buldings also allowed for some form of inspiration, since the team was asked to respect them. The low houses located in the backdrop of the gallery had particular roofs from which the MOD team analyzed and recreated in an exaggerated form to serve as the structures particular roofing.