On the right bank of the Han River in Wuhan, China’s first modern iron and steel works is undergoing a regeneration. Originally closed in 1947, the new ‘Sunac Wuhan 1890’ project will be a complex for businesses and creative communities across 66,055 sq m.
The buildings feature aged red bricks which have been carefully restored using concrete materials while retaining the original texture. The roof has been renovated using modern materials and glass skylights while retaining the same style as the original. The original façade of metal corrugated panels has been replaced with a more robust polycarbonate panel design, while integrating oxygen generators and dust collection systems.
Every city has its own memory and story. The Hanyang Iron Works is a pivotal existence in the modern history of Wuhan. To pay respect, our priority is to inject new life into these old buildings while protecting them. New functions allow these "old objects" to be reborn in the present, infusing unique charm into the development.
The redesign combines the industrial culture of the past with contemporary art which establishes a new social and business destination. The interior of the steel bar plant is split into several clusters of business and intersects with the performance spaces on the side to create an environment where both work and play can thrive.
Located within easy access of the Beijing-Guangzhou railway in the south and Jiangcheng Avenue in the east, the development is situated within a short distance of several cultural landmarks. These include the Museum of Zhang Zhi Dong, Heptachord Terrace, Qintai Concert Hall and Qintai Grand Theatre.