Modern building with glass windows and red metal framework on rooftop surrounded by trees.

A modern building with large glass windows and a red metal framework on the rooftop, surrounded by trees.

Story

Revitalizing Industrial Heritage in Tianjin The First Machine Tool Factory in Tianjin, once a pivotal industrial site, is undergoing a transformative urban renewal. The project, led by CM Design, seeks to integrate smart technology, culture, commerce, and tourism within the existing industrial framework. The site spans 260,000 square meters, with 170,000 square meters of building area, and is being reimagined as an urban industrial park. Building 2, formerly the Heat Treatment Workshop, is strategically positioned with views of the Yueya River and a planned public plaza. The two-story brick-concrete structure is being reconstructed to align with the central axis of the factory area, creating a functional hub that connects the east-west landscape with the north-south “Memory Path.” The design employs a raw concrete frame, recycled bricks, and weathering steel, maintaining the site's industrial memory while introducing modern elements. The building's facade features expansive glass, revealing the concrete structure and connecting the interior with the surrounding landscape. A curved cantilevered terrace on the third floor and zigzagging weathering steel staircases enhance the building's vertical circulation. The rooftop, with its twisted and cantilevered form, offers panoramic views and serves as an activity area, seamlessly integrating with the natural landscape.

Design Highlights

Raw concrete frame with recycled bricks and weathering steel facade Two-story commercial space with overhanging colonnade Expansive glass facades for visual connectivity Curved cantilevered terrace and zigzagging staircases Rooftop viewing platform integrated with the landscape

Key Facts

Key Aspect Detail
Location Hedong District, Tianjin
Area 809 m²
Project Period May 2024 – December 2025
Client Tianjin TEDA Rongyu Urban Renewal Construction Development Co., Ltd.
Materials Concrete, Weathering Steel, Sintered Brick, Tempered Glass
The project exemplifies a sustainable approach to industrial heritage renewal, transforming historical structures into vibrant, multifunctional spaces that contribute to the urban fabric of Tianjin.

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: Recycled old bricks and rust-colored weathering steel are used on the facade to continue the industrial memory.

Materials

  • Concrete — Main structural frame
  • Weathering Steel — Facade elements and external staircases
  • Glass — Expansive glass on the east and west facades

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: Raw concrete frame structure
  • Facade System: Combination of recycled old bricks and rust-colored weathering steel

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: rust-colored, concrete gray
  • Lighting: Natural lighting through expansive glass facades

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