Reviewing the life cycle of the 800 Show Cultural and Creative Industry Park, after 10 years of operation, we conducted a research utilized a combination of qualitative methods, such as interviews and observations, and analytical tools such as surveys conducted among project stakeholders: design, construction, and management representatives as well as current Park users, like occupiers and event organizers. Meanwhile we made a Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE)
The white paper elaborates the "People-Oriented" methodology, starting from user needs, it analyzes strategic thinking on place making and property operation in stages. The white paper framework mainly includes: 800 show project understanding, design strategies and implementation actions, a challenging construction process, three operational pillars, outcomes after 10 years occupancy and inputs for future ideas.
Designers believe that design to truly embrace the needs of the users. How to redevelop the site? Who to design for? How to solve site accessibility and traffic circulation? How to revitalize abandoned space? What users’ needs to satisfy for an open, diverse and inclusive place? These are the questions need to be clear before the design.
The adaptive reuse project combined creative offices, leisure and culture functions organized in three groups, with the main hall as the spine. The iconic event hall represents the brand of the place. As the destination of the city's cultural venues, the main show ground is rented for cultural and creative events, and provides flexible spaces, public areas, backstage areas and service rooms for event organizers.
The site hosts 15 buildings that have been built over 50 years, each with its own style. The designer pays attention to the original industrial characteristics and shapes the identity of the park through different interventions, unified design language, modern industrial materials and artistic elements.
logon.design put forward 10+ must-do things in the park to use as a starting point for space design, and the operation provide a variety of dining options, leisure and entertainment facilities. Meanwhile, high-quality squares and outdoor spaces in the park form an atmosphere of integration, openness, and service to the neighborhood community.
The construction level describes the challenges that faced in the early days of urban renewal and lacked the lessons learned. Urban renewal projects are generally far more complex than new construction projects. Everyone overcomes the difficulties of unpredictable structures on the site, the lack of original drawings, and the difficulty of construction. We used different interventions such as decoration and renovation. It took nearly 2 years to complete the construction.
Operational level introduced 800 shows "three major operating pillars"
● People-oriented, with tenants and users in the park as the core and integration driven by surrounding communities.
● Adhere to a clear industrial positioning and not break it easily. Focus on fashion, creativity and new creative industries, culture and design industries.
● Strong cultural orientation, carefully select the show events from the development vision and industrial positioning of the park as the screening criteria for the show events.
Summarizing the operating results of the 800 show for ten years, the development of the "800 show" still maintains a significant inherent flexibility. The "800 Show" is a high-quality workplace recognized by existing users and a widely recognized urban cultural landmark. Compared with other parks that have been built or even completed, the life cycle of the 800 show is extended and it is a real growing park.
800 show will need to keep successful even if there is an evolution of the target users and of the workplaces.
Inputs for the upcoming next phase of property operations.
