This adaptive reuse revitalizes a former ceramics and pottery factory complex, which earned the name "Snake Kiln," reflecting their serpentine architecture. Originally built in the 1920s, the site was once a major global hub producing both artisanal pottery and industrial ceramics. Over a century, due to societal and industrial changes, the factories gradually fell into disrepair. Abandoned buildings have been renovated into a multi-use complex featuring a single-story gallery and a two-story gift shop, blending old and new through a wabi-sabi aesthetic.
Through light, form, and material, this renovation project aims on the diachronic heritage, natural surroundings, and pottery kiln culture. Paying homage to the site’s historical legacy, involves the minimal decorative constructions, and embraces natural imperfections to resonate with the rustic charm of its surroundings. With the use of glass structure, such as skylights and full-height windows, the interior enhances the sense of openness; additionally, all lighting fixtures were replaced with LEDs to improve energy efficiency.
Situated in a winding layout, the gallery enters from a cave-like atmosphere, guiding visitors from a small space into a deep, spacious exhibition hall. Side walls retain the original masonry, blocking direct daylight so the artworks can be viewed without glare or reflection interference. A previous leaking roof was repaired with adding a skylight along the ridge, introducing sunlight to shine from morning to dusk, suffusing diverse ambiances throughout the day.
The gift shop was reinforced with steel and assembled with glass windows to connect the exterior environments. Conceiving the undulating surface of liquid pottery, a textured, stone-like wall captures the raw and organic essence of pottery-making, visually narrating its transformation from raw earth through extraction, refinement, and firing, ultimately becoming artworks.