The Revival of the Silo

ArchiTeam in collaboration with office25 architects, participated with two projects. The project "Orbis" was awarded with an honorable mention.

Project "Orbis" Description
Orbis is a statement against the idolization of modern design. A deconstructed and chaotic environment can become a place where young artists and designers will generate innovative ideas and creations.

Aim of the project is to turn the silo into a landmark of Redtory and mark the entrance of the entire area. Become a cultural beacon that will light the skies of Guangzhou and attract new visitors and creative minds in the territory.

The name of the project derives from the latin word «orbis», which means shape, but also the circular movement of the various sectors inside.

The entire scheme design consists of two clear volumes dominating the site and a third one, penetrating the two, and used as transition module, dividing the plot horizontally and providing access to both east and west sides of the site.

The interior functions of the silo are organized amongst perforated levels, which elevate and revolve around a central core located in the base of the structure.
There are six different design groups, which inhabit the silo's different levels. The interaction is obvious by the use of bridges, stairways and lifts that connect them. There are both public and private working studios; Depending on the mood someone can use either the collective spaces or the isolated cubicles.

On the outer shell, the deconstruction of volumes dominates along with sharp window openings; A new steel construction gives a distinguished feeling of rising. A mechanical shutter, providing natural light and ventilation as well as protection depending on the weather conditions, covers the whole structure.

Homemade Dessert and its judges were excited by the proposals submitted to the Revival of the Silo design competition. More than 70 submissions were received from around the world, and these put forth a number of innovative ideas for the renewal and reuse of this former canning factory site in Redtory, Guangzhou, China.

Architectural study
office25 architects
Design team: Antonis Perpatidis, Thanasis Chrysomallis, Manolis Vourakis, Vasilis Nikolopoulos, Tania Tzima, Katerina Rapti, Ariadni Parisi, Elena Papageorgiou, Eleni Theodoridou, Vassilis Vavougios

ArchiTeam
Design team: Alexios Vandoros, Maria Anagnostou, Christinaki Petsiou, Sofia Tzereme, Andronikos Vandoros