Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

AMONG many people’s list of places to go in Shenzhen, OCT-LOFT is a frequent choice. The area, with eye-catching murals on the facade of old factory buildings, is incredibly photogenic. It’s worth exploring each of the art spaces, live houses, galleries and small shops as you’ll never know what you might discover.

From a factory compound to a focal point of the city’s contemporary art, creative design and avant-garde music, OCT-LOFT, with a brief history, is at the frontline of the country’s creative parks. “OCT-LOFT was built with an ‘anything goes’ attitude, which embodies Shenzhen’s pioneering spirit,” said Xu Qian, general manager of OCT-LOFT Cultural Development Co. Ltd., at a recent forum celebrating the site’s 15th anniversary.

Meng Yan, co-founder and principal architect of URBANUS Architecture and Design Inc., who participated in the renovation of OCT-LOFT from 2003 to 2012, recalled that the project began with the launching of the OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (former name of OCAT Shenzhen) in a warehouse in the south area of OCT-LOFT.

He said the planning team’s intention was to add programs to existing structures to adapt to the function of the art center and then replace and fill up other buildings with cafés, bars, artist ateliers and design shops. Since then, OCT-LOFT has drawn interest worldwide for its art and design events; and later, the murals splashing on the old factory buildings also give the site a sense of character.

When the renovation project entered Phase 2 in the north area of OCT-LOFT, Meng said that they made B10 Live, a vibrant live house, as the center of this area, with the empty lots and buildings around gradually filled with exhibitions and events.

“Renovations in OCT-LOFT follow a flexible framework to constantly adapt itself to the new conditions posed by the vast changes of the city,” said Meng, who pointed out that following the OCT-LOFT project, URBANUS began a longtime research on urban villages in Shenzhen.

“We envision a slow-city development model, with old and new co-living together, with small operations plugged into big spaces,” he said, referring to his company’s later urban renovation project in Nantou and its design of the UpperHills shopping mall.

The planning and design by URBANUS played an important role in OCT-LOFT’s development; in the meantime, impressive public events, such as the mural festival in 2011, the “art in elevator” program in 2012, the annual jazz festival and the weekend bazaar, also make OCT-LOFT a hub offering an alternative experience of Shenzhen life.

“It was hard to imagine 15 years ago that the old factory buildings with simple roofs could be turned into today’s vibrant place with multiple events. Organizations, art spaces, design companies, bookstores and people in OCT-LOFT all have made great contributions,” said Fang Lihua, deputy director of OCAT Shenzhen.

Tu Fei, who runs the Old Heaven Bookstore in OCT-LOFT’s north area, co-curates the annual Tomorrow Festival and OCT-LOFT Jazz Festival at B10 Live. This venue plays host to an array of live performances in jazz, folk, alternative rock and experimental styles.

“The energy in OCT-LOFT pushed us to do something different. The music festivals at B10 Live were not created by one person but by a group of people. Every one did what he or she could to make the festivals influential year by year,” he said.

Fang Wen, president of Shanghai Creater Industrial Co. Ltd., shared her creative programs in the urban renewal on Yuyuan Road in Shanghai, such as opening a market for old artisans on the road, inviting young people educated abroad to open shops, and collaborating with Liu Haisu Art Museum to open a community art museum.

“People living and working on Yuyuan Road are now promoters of the century-old road and its culture. Urban renewal is not only to renovate architectures but also to form human connections. Meanwhile, business on the road should also keep pace with time to attract young people,” she added.