Known more commonly as the co-founder and chairman of SOHO China, Pan Shiyi is also a talented photographer whose works are now displayed permanently at a space earlier used as an exhibition room by Zaha Hadid Architects. Housed adjacent to a twin room (designed by anySCALE) near the reception at SOHO’s Commune at the Great Wall, the all-black room was redone to look similar to the other room and create a warmth that suits the essence of Mr. Pan’s striking photographs.
The entryway to the room at the staircase features a highlight spot for photography, a small screen playing footage of Mr. Pan in action, and embedded text laying out Mr. Pan’s perspectives on the art. The long and narrow room was divided into two areas using three hanging panels that act as a barrier and additional surface area to put up photos.
Visual focus is kept on artworks with a dark marble floor and lighting coming only from pin spotlights on the ceiling. The walls were segmented at a height of 3m to include ledges that were fitted with hidden light strips to lend some definition to the space.
