BW Architect has designed the Ren Community Art Gallery in Hangzhou, China.

This project is located on the east side of Pocket Park on Wulin Road of Hangzhou, just 500m from West Lake. Before it was renovated, it was a pet shop with a black facade – locals once called it the "black house".

Not long ago, the owner decided to convert the black house into a community art gallery. Since it is only 60sqm in size, it's could be one of the smallest art galleries in China.

"Since this is an art gallery, the exhibition...is the leading role after all, and the space itself is supposed to keep reserved and low-key." said BW Architect. "We decided to get rid of all the materials and decoration by the skill of minimalism, and let the art gallery back to its essential factors, the light, the space, the size and the structure, just to meet what the architect actually pursues from deep within."

This project has been longlisted in the civic and cultural interiors category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Designer: BW Architect

Project: Ren Community Art Gallery