Architectural agency Naço has renovated the mythical Heng Shan cinema in Shanghai, China, giving both the façade and the surrounding traffic system a complete makeover.
The Art Deco Heng Shan was built in 1951, the first cinema to be built in the “new China”.
Naço refined the look of the façade by implementing vertical glass fibre concrete lines. This also worked to make the building look less “monumental” and heavy. A black concrete strip on the façade also works as decorative element, as well as separating the lines from the ground.
What was previously an enclosed garden has been opened up completely to create a more welcoming, open garden space in front of the cinema. This also helps the cinema to connect with the park right next to it.
