Dalian 37 Xiang Cultural and Creative Park

This architectural photograph presents a contemporary multi-story building captured at twilight, its white perforated metal facades glowing with warm interior light against a soft blue evening sky. Scanning from left to right, the structure extends horizontally with regular bands of windows and perforated screening panels, then rises dramatically at the right into sweeping curved vertical fins that ascend like sculptural sails against the darkening atmosphere. Beginning with the foreground, a paved vehicular area occupies the lower portion, its dark asphalt surface smooth and cool underfoot, marked with red and white striped barriers suggesting controlled access points. A low stone retaining wall with rough, weathered texture like ancient geological strata creates the building's base, providing earthen warmth against the refined surfaces above. The ground floor presents transparent glass storefronts and entrances, revealing hints of interior spaces bathed in gentle light the color of warm honey or candlelight. Moving upward, three stories of perforated metal panels wrap the building like delicate mesh fabric, their tiny apertures creating a texture reminiscent of fine woven cloth or rice paper screens, allowing amber-gold interior illumination to filter through in soft, diffused patterns. The perforations create a breathing quality, neither fully solid nor fully open, suggesting the lightness of draped fabric over a supporting frame. At right, the building transforms dramatically as three tall curved fins sweep upward with the graceful arc of unfurling sails or stylized brushstrokes, their white surfaces catching the last light of day while warm golden glow emanates from between them. The sky graduates from pale lavender-blue at the horizon to deeper cerulean above, cool and clear as winter twilight. The overall atmosphere suggests quiet anticipation, a moment of transition between day and evening when artificial warmth welcomes while natural light retreats.

Transformed from an abandoned factory, Dalian 37 Xiang is located halfway up the mountain side with a main aspect towards the harbor in the north of the city. The design is inspired by the geographical features of Dalian's iconic mountains and adjacent seas, creating a new architectural image that echoes the spirit of the city, establishing a contrast between the old and the new through light interventions. The design objective was to renew this old factory into a regional landmark of the city, accommodate multiple business types, and finally make it an open and dynamic city node.