Markor Cave

Location: Beijing, China.

Completion: 2020.

Description: The Markor Cave 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.

Challenges: The 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.

Solutions: 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.

Results: The completion of Markor Art Center in Beijing now marks the beginning of a new journey for the Markor brand, opening the prelude to Markor’s position at the top of the market.