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Old warehouse converted to creative space
By Xu Wenwen |
June 8, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE last remaining warehouse along the Grand Canal of China has been converted into the newest creative space in the city that styles itself as "China's capital of animation and creativity."
The Hangzhou Fuyi Warehouse Fashion Creative Space was opened last month after restoration, but so far only the Yi Cafe is operating. Around six design, image and film companies are now decorating their spaces in this 6,000-square-meter warehouse built in 1880.
Another six individuals and companies are expected to move in, including well-known Japanese cartoonist Kousuke Fujishima.
Fuyi Warehouse, which is built of wood, is the last remaining storage structure along the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal.
Renovation began in 2007 and wood was used throughout to restore the original appearance.
During the restoration period, numerous ideas were considered for its future use, but all were discarded. The bookstore and museum ideas were scrapped because the humidity near the canal would ruin paper and relics.
The fashion boutique and eatery ideas were turned down because the city has plenty of both, and food and fashion were considered too superficial for the historic area.
A wax museum was another idea but no merchant stepped in.
Eventually, the municipal government resolved to turn the sprawling warehouse into a creative industry space with a theme of "creativity, innovation and show." The aim is to make it a hub for culture, fresh ideas and tourism.
For tenants, the city only considered creative enterprises with a strong sense of the meaning of the Grand Canal and its culture.
The venue will be the site of exhibitions, fashion shows and various.
Some locals question whether the new creative hub can retain the distinctive features of the old warehouse and carry on the Grand Canal's culture.
The new tenants claim they can and will also enliven the cultural scene along the canal.
Yi Cafe sells coffee, tea, nonalcoholic beverage and snacks. Its most distinctive feature is the Chinese rustic decor. Lighting fixtures are made of bamboo and rattan; basic wooden furniture has been collected from around the countryside. The look is much weathered and worn and some families had painted or carved their names on their family furniture.
"The aim of the restoration was to protect the old warehouse and we retained the original structure," says Song Subo, a manager from the contractor, the Fuyi Warehouse Cultural Creation Co.
Even the old wooden floors were preserved and covered before a new flooring was installed; when it is removed, the original floors can be exposed again.
Li Hong, general manager of the contractor, says the wooden building was so dilapidated that it was on the point of collapse, but it was shored up and reconstructed using wood like the original.
"Preserving and maintaining the old structure takes money, so converting it into a creative zone makes sense - it can generate funds and enliven the environment," she says.
The Hangzhou Grand Canal Group is also involved in the warehouse project.
"Using old buildings for business activities is a good way to protect them and finance their preservation," says the office director for the group, who identifies himself only as Wang.
"Now visitors can learn the history of Fuyi Warehouse and the Grand Canal and experience the city's fashion, creativity and life quality."
The Hangzhou Fuyi Warehouse Fashion Creative Space was opened last month after restoration, but so far only the Yi Cafe is operating. Around six design, image and film companies are now decorating their spaces in this 6,000-square-meter warehouse built in 1880.
Another six individuals and companies are expected to move in, including well-known Japanese cartoonist Kousuke Fujishima.
Fuyi Warehouse, which is built of wood, is the last remaining storage structure along the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal.
Renovation began in 2007 and wood was used throughout to restore the original appearance.
During the restoration period, numerous ideas were considered for its future use, but all were discarded. The bookstore and museum ideas were scrapped because the humidity near the canal would ruin paper and relics.
The fashion boutique and eatery ideas were turned down because the city has plenty of both, and food and fashion were considered too superficial for the historic area.
A wax museum was another idea but no merchant stepped in.
Eventually, the municipal government resolved to turn the sprawling warehouse into a creative industry space with a theme of "creativity, innovation and show." The aim is to make it a hub for culture, fresh ideas and tourism.
For tenants, the city only considered creative enterprises with a strong sense of the meaning of the Grand Canal and its culture.
The venue will be the site of exhibitions, fashion shows and various.
Some locals question whether the new creative hub can retain the distinctive features of the old warehouse and carry on the Grand Canal's culture.
The new tenants claim they can and will also enliven the cultural scene along the canal.
Yi Cafe sells coffee, tea, nonalcoholic beverage and snacks. Its most distinctive feature is the Chinese rustic decor. Lighting fixtures are made of bamboo and rattan; basic wooden furniture has been collected from around the countryside. The look is much weathered and worn and some families had painted or carved their names on their family furniture.
"The aim of the restoration was to protect the old warehouse and we retained the original structure," says Song Subo, a manager from the contractor, the Fuyi Warehouse Cultural Creation Co.
Even the old wooden floors were preserved and covered before a new flooring was installed; when it is removed, the original floors can be exposed again.
Li Hong, general manager of the contractor, says the wooden building was so dilapidated that it was on the point of collapse, but it was shored up and reconstructed using wood like the original.
"Preserving and maintaining the old structure takes money, so converting it into a creative zone makes sense - it can generate funds and enliven the environment," she says.
The Hangzhou Grand Canal Group is also involved in the warehouse project.
"Using old buildings for business activities is a good way to protect them and finance their preservation," says the office director for the group, who identifies himself only as Wang.
"Now visitors can learn the history of Fuyi Warehouse and the Grand Canal and experience the city's fashion, creativity and life quality."
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