889GLO Art Space by SpActrum Challenges the Architecture of Consumerism in Shanghai

Words by Eric David

Shanghai, China

Tucked inside a commercial plaza in Shanghai’s Jing’an District, 889GLO Art Space eschews both the minimalist white-box aesthetic and the sleek sophistication typical of corporate cultural venues, opting instead for a singular blend of industrial rawness and architectural bricolage. Conceived as a hybrid platform for artistic exchange and community engagement, the 930-square-metre venue by local studio SpActrum is a collage of salvaged materials where PVC fireproof strips serve as space dividers, forklift pallets and metal drums are reimagined as table supports, and ventilation grilles become lighting fixtures. Part architectural experiment, part social provocation, the project continues SpActrum’s long-standing inquiry into “unseen forces of construction,” probing the invisible scaffolding, be it economic, material, or ecological that underpins urban consumption in China.

This intriguing corner of 889 GLO Art Space features a raw concrete pillar contrasting with an exposed orange ventilation tube, a bold industrial element. Potted plants introduce biophilic accents, while an innovative, modular seating design using crates on a wooden base highlights the space's experimental and resourceful design philosophy.

Photography by SpActrum.

Framed by a striking yellow curtain, this view into 889 GLO Art Space reveals a gathering area with light wooden chairs arranged for an event. Beyond, people mingle in the sunlit general exhibition space, characterized by large windows and the prominent industrial-style shelving, showcasing the venue's versatility and vibrant atmosphere.

Photography by SFAP.

This expansive view of 889 GLO Art Space highlights its industrial architecture with exposed ceilings and concrete elements. Long, minimalist tables, some with a dark, reflective surface, are paired with a rustic wooden bench. Vibrant yellow partitions add warmth, defining zones within the vast, multi-functional space, reflecting a blend of brutalist and modern industrial aesthetics.

Photography by SpActrum.

The design draws conceptual impetus from staggering resource statistics: billions of tonnes of coal, steel, and cement consumed annually, alongside data on fuel, water, and transport infrastructure. These numbers, the studio suggests, shape not just economies, but lives and yet remain largely invisible. At 889GLO, SpActrum’s response is making these infrastructures more tangible through an inventory of repurposed industrial components, crafting what they call a “landscape of consumption.”

This logic of assemblage extends to the spatial layout, which favours porosity over enclosure. Walls have been stripped away to reveal panoramic views of the city, while traces of former tenants evidenced in paint residues and patched ceilings are preserved like archaeological strata. A sinuous circulation route now guides visitors through a sequence of hybrid spaces, starting with a light-filled café populated by boxy chairs and tables made from repurposed plastic storage crates. A flame-retardant, orange-hued ventilation duct that now serves as a meandering bench and a blue-painted cooling tower panel refashioned into a pendant light add a sculptural presence, while clusters of potted plants are used to great effect to soften the industrial edges.

A captivating view into a lounge area within 889 GLO Art Space, featuring vibrant orange chairs that add a pop of color against the raw concrete. A unique, sculptural light fixture hangs from the exposed ceiling, while a glass-topped table constructed from stacked wooden pallets and a white column exemplifies creative reuse and industrial-meets-artistic design.

Photography by SFAP.

Sunlight streams into 889 GLO Art Space, illuminating a pathway between a robust industrial shelving unit and a long wooden bench. The vibrant yellow partition walls create a vivid backdrop, contrasting with the raw concrete and dark ceiling, while a unique dark green tiled floor adds texture, showcasing a bold industrial design with playful color accents.

Photography by SpActrum.

A perspective shot within 889 GLO Art Space emphasizes the intricate, multi-level display structure. Crafted from industrial metal elements, it features various art pieces and publications. The raw concrete pillar and exposed ceiling, combined with the reflective surfaces and curated displays, exemplify a sophisticated industrial design with an artistic edge.

Photography by SFAP.

A close-up reveals the ingenious construction of a table in 889 GLO Art Space, where a clear glass top rests on exposed rebar and steel sheeting, reminiscent of construction site aesthetics. This detail showcases the space's commitment to industrial chic, transforming raw, functional materials into refined design elements.

Photography by SFAP.

In 889 GLO Art Space, two individuals interact beside a long, custom-designed glass table, revealing intricate metalwork beneath. The space is flooded with natural light from large windows, highlighting the striking contrast between the industrial aesthetic of exposed structures, a dark green tiled floor, and the vibrant yellow partitions in the background.

Photography by SFAP.

  • Natural light illuminates the versatile 889 GLO Art Space, highlighting the industrial shelving unit and a rustic wooden bench. Beyond, a warm yellow curtain encloses a seating area where people are gathered, illustrating the harmonious blend of raw materials and vibrant color, defining distinct zones within the spacious, multi-functional design.

    Photography by SFAP.

  • A dynamic industrial-chic interior in the 889 GLO Art Space, Shanghai, features a vibrant yellow curtain acting as a flexible partition, casting a warm glow. A blurred figure walks past a raw wooden bench and sparse seating, highlighting the interplay of robust materials—concrete, wood, and metal—with vivid color, creating a versatile, evocative atmosphere.

    Photography © SpActrum.

A person gently interacts with a voluminous yellow curtain in 889 GLO Art Space, highlighting its role as a flexible, colorful partition within the industrial setting. The raw concrete floors and ceiling are balanced by a long wooden bench and elegant floral arrangements, creating a vibrant yet contemplative atmosphere.

Photography by SFAP.

The café gives way to gallery zones and a florist studio featuring long tables constructed from heavy-duty forklift pallets, metal drums, and plastic containers, among other cast-offs. A 6.8-metre bench crafted from reclaimed ship timber lends a touch of tactile warmth to the otherwise utilitarian palette, while space-dividing curtains inject vibrant yellow and orange tones into the otherwise monochrome setting. Made from truck tarps and fireproof PVC membranes, the curtains delineate an oval-shaped area that can be used for conferences and lectures.

  • This image of 889 GLO Art Space reveals an open, industrial-style interior with a bold yellow curtain providing a striking vertical accent. Groups of people are engaged in casual interactions, seated on simple chairs, under abundant natural light streaming through large windows, enhancing the space's adaptable and inviting public art gallery ambiance.

    Photography by SFAP.

  • A sun-drenched area of 889 GLO Art Space is defined by a vivid yellow curtain, creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. The industrial aesthetic is evident in exposed concrete columns and ceilings. A sleek, dark marble counter in the foreground adds a touch of refinement to the otherwise raw and adaptable exhibition space.

    Photography by SFAP.

A striking image of 889 GLO Art Space where two large, luminous yellow curtains divide the expansive area, creating a warm, inviting glow. Scattered wooden chairs are arranged on the polished concrete floor, suggesting an event space. A solitary figure walks across the sun-drenched floor, emphasizing the vastness and the atmospheric quality of the industrial interior.

Photography by SFAP.

Silhouetted figures move against a luminous, floor-to-ceiling yellow curtain in 889 GLO Art Space, creating a dramatic, artful scene. The golden light spilling onto the polished concrete floor enhances the atmospheric mood, transforming a functional partition into a dynamic, artistic backdrop within the industrial setting.

Photography by SFAP.

The spatial journey culminates in a spacious library framed by a semicircular glass façade on one side and towering bookshelves on the other. Found throughout the premises, these modular bookshelves are constructed using metal grates, timber slats, and other components typically used for concrete formwork. The overall effect of the use of these materials is one of ingenious transformation that is raw, resourceful, and strikingly coherent.

Rather than directing an experience, SpActrum cultivates a certain ambiguity where furniture resists typology, zones bleed into one another, and materials retain traces of their past lives. The designers describes this as a “deliberate ambiguity” between form and function, a strategy that sidesteps commercial design’s drive for legibility and efficiency in favour of interpretive multiplicity. While 889GLO doesn’t claim to resolve the contradictions of contemporary consumption, it does reframe them. In doing so, it invites a new kind of engagement, one that is both playful and critically aware.

An expansive view of the 889 GLO Art Space showcases a lengthy, multi-tiered shelving unit crafted from industrial metal components, filled with a diverse collection of books and art objects. A person walks along the concrete floor, highlighting the impressive scale and the raw, yet curated, brutalist-industrial design of the space.

Photography by SFAP.

A sweeping view of 889 GLO Art Space's reading area, offering panoramic city views through expansive, curved windows. The minimalist concrete floor is complemented by glass-topped tables with industrial bases and modern chairs. A vast, industrial shelving unit filled with books stretches along one wall, balancing the raw architecture with a sophisticated, intellectual atmosphere.

Photography by SFAP.

Within the sophisticated industrial framework of 889 GLO Art Space, a person engages with books displayed on the modular shelving system. The shelves, constructed from perforated metal, hold a curated collection of art and design books, reflecting the space's commitment to culture and its integration of a raw, functional aesthetic with intellectual pursuits.

Photography by SFAP.

  • A striking close-up of the multi-tiered, modular shelving system in 889 GLO Art Space, crafted from perforated metal and dark, textured panels. The shelves are thoughtfully arranged with a curated selection of art books, including one prominently titled "I CANNOT HIDE MY ANGER." A single horizontal light strip illuminates the industrial structure, highlighting the space's commitment to both brutalist aesthetics and intellectual curation.

    Photography by SFAP.

  • A close-up of the industrial shelving in 889 GLO Art Space emphasizes its intricate, perforated metal structure and the robust, dark-paneled uprights. Various art books, including one titled "I CANNOT HIDE MY ANGER," are neatly arranged, showcasing how the raw, modular design serves as a sophisticated display system within this brutalist-inspired space.

    Photography by SFAP.

  • An intriguing detail shot from 889 GLO Art Space showcases a multi-tiered shelving system crafted from industrial metal components, displaying books and objects. The raw, brutalist concrete wall and dark, heavy curtains provide a stark backdrop, emphasizing the intricate, modular design and the space's industrial aesthetic. A person in motion adds a sense of human interaction.

    Photography by SFAP.

This image from 889 GLO Art Space focuses on the multi-layered industrial shelving system, showcasing its modular construction of metal and dark panels. Two blurred figures interact within the space, highlighting its scale. The raw concrete wall and a dark, corrugated metal surface in the background reinforce the robust, brutalist industrial aesthetic of the art space.

Photography by SFAP.

This interior perspective of 889 GLO Art Space showcases its elongated layout, featuring an extensive industrial shelving unit displaying books and objects. A vivid yellow curtain introduces a burst of color, drawing the eye towards a sunlit area where people gather, seamlessly blending the raw brutalist structure with vibrant, inviting communal zones.

Photography by SFAP.

A close-up detail of a glass-topped table in 889 GLO Art Space, revealing the thoughtful design of its wooden beam structure and the subtle, pale green grating underneath. The reflection of light on the glass surface and the precise joinery reflect a commitment to both industrial honesty and minimalist craftsmanship.

Photography by SFAP.

A unique, custom-designed table with a curved glass top and a base featuring a mint green grid and white sculptural elements is showcased in 889 GLO Art Space. The space offers expansive city views through large windows, contrasting the industrial yet refined interior with the urban skyline, embodying a thoughtful blend of brutalist and modern design.

Photography by SFAP.