MARKOR ART CENTER, BEIJING, CHINA

A BRIDGE BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE

In early 2019, the cornerstone was laid for a new expressive building at 99 Chaowai Street in Beijing. This outstanding location immediately drew the public’s attention, and the building’s exceptional design still holds it today.

Markor International Home Furnishings Co., Ltd was founded in China in 1990. It relied on the local furniture industry to establish itself in the international market. The organic combination of its brand matrix transformed Markor from a simple manufacturer into a brand name. The Markor Art Center is the company’s new headquarters, a six-storey building whose 35,000 square metres provide ample exhibition space to showcase Markor's exquisite furnishings. There are also large office spaces and public areas, a rooftop terrace for banquets, and an adaptable community restaurant.

Architect Richard Feng was particularly concerned that the new building’s design should bridge the gap between untouched nature and modern lifestyles. His design is largely influenced by the cave culture of the Western Regions and the ancient Silk Road, the system of caravan routes that once connected the Mediterranean with East Asia. This unusual design also brought many challenges with it. Creating a smooth, durable surface required a material that could withstand all weather conditions. This ultimately led to the selection of a proven solution: the AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Outdoor. It’s easy to use outdoors, making it a truly viable proposition for the project.

The lightweight cement board provides a solid dry substrate that can withstand both condensation and direct contact with water. AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Outdoor is inorganic and can be bent without any pre-treatment. The fact that AQUAPANEL® Cement Boards are 100% water-resistant and mould- and mildew resistant make them a truly beneficial solution. AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Outdoor also offers creative freedom, as expansion joints only have to be installed every 15 metres. This allows for a continuous area of up to 225 m² that will still tolerate weather-related expansion and contraction. This also keeps gaps in the building’s exterior appearance to a minimum.