Architects: Wutopia Lab
Photography: CreatAR Images
Project Type: Refurbishment, Small-Scale Renovation
City: Shanghai
Country: China
The Third Eye-Micro Renovation by Wutopia Lab adapts the former residence of a Kuomintang (KMT) general in Shanghai for a video company through minimal architectural interventions. Working within a limited budget and preservation restrictions, the architect retained unauthorized additions that could not be reconstructed if demolished. These structures were painted black, creating a unified background that contrasts with the white historic residence and distinguishes its official history from later informal modifications. In the courtyard, old bricks were relaid alongside new ones, with grass emphasizing the gaps between materials of different dimensions. The central intervention features two intersecting circles on the porch facade, forming a third-eye motif inspired by Chinese folklore. Symbolizing extraordinary perception, the design reflects the company’s interest in discovering overlooked aspects of everyday life. Blue glass inserts filter sunlight, casting changing shadows across the courtyard and introducing movement and color into the restrained architectural composition.
The Third Eye-Micro Renovation by Wutopia Lab explores how modest design interventions can establish a contemporary identity within a historically sensitive setting. The project addresses strict regulations governing existing structures around the former general’s residence, where certain unauthorized additions could remain but could not be replaced once removed.
Rather than demolishing these structures, the architect unified their varied materials and construction details with black paint, including the canopies. This treatment visually separates the additions from the original white residence, expressing a distinction between official and unofficial architectural histories.
The courtyard follows the same principle of preserving visible differences. Existing bricks were relaid alongside new ones, while grass fills the gaps created by their varying dimensions, making the transition between materials an intentional design feature.
The most prominent alteration transforms the porch facade through two intersecting circles that suggest a third eye. Drawing on Chinese folklore, where the third eye represents supernatural perception, the motif connects the architecture to the video company’s pursuit of unusual perspectives.
Two blue glass elements emphasize the intersection, contrasting with the black facade and filtering sunlight onto the courtyard floor. The resulting colored shadows change throughout the day, bringing a dynamic quality to the outdoor space.
Through selective use of color, materials, and geometry, Wutopia Lab demonstrates how small-scale renovation can preserve existing architectural layers while creating a distinctive identity without extensive construction.
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Project Location
Address: Shanghai, China
The location specified is intended for general reference and may denote a city or country, but it does not identify a precise address.
