Ota Fine Arts Shanghai

The 350 square metre gallery for a dealer in East Asian contemporary art occupies the ground floor of a new mixed-use tower, facing an alley lined with restored Art Deco buildings. The China-based design team framed the front in aged steel, alternating solid metal with large glass panels that serve as vitrines.

Behind the glass, handmade ivory tiles in a woven pattern form a neutral backdrop. An oversized sliding door marks the entrance, and when open reveals a niche that leads in; after hours it slides back to restore the display. The west side, for vehicles and large works, has a fluted glass facade that glows at night and a warehouse-sized door with a custom handle.

Inside, a 150 square metre public gallery sits beside a private zone of viewing rooms and offices. The deep thresholds along both facades are used for storage as well as display, blurring the line between service and experience.