The new space of the Goethe-Institut China located at the 798 Art District in Beijing opened to the public Thursday for cultural exchange, digital media and contemporary art.

"I believe the location is significant just on account of its surroundings. The excitement, pulsation and diversity that surround the Goethe-Institut here provide a wonderful opportunity to integrate it into our own work," said professor Klaus Dieter-Lehmann, president of the Goethe-Institut at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Goethe-Institut in the 798 Art District.

Arising from an abandoned factory, the new event venue retains elements of the Bauhaus-inspired architecture of the former factory while integrating the minimalism of contemporary German design. The space, which takes up a surface area of 1,000 square meters, allows different functional areas to build dialogue with each other following the principle of openness and transparency.

As one highlight, open discourse is enabled in the new space. The center of the space is the Agora, where the Goethe-Institut plans to initiate discussions and debates.

"The Agora is the place where one questions oneself, where we always come up against our limitations, which it's worth our while to overcome and grow beyond," explained Peter Anders, director of the Goethe-Institut Chinak.

What's more, the new space also boasts a 120 audience-seat stage, a conference and exhibition room and a creative industry-focused "knowledge bar" decorated with specialized databases and the latest apps.

"We are focusing on the digitalization of information and the joint formulation of new project ideas. In this way, we support the active art production of the young Chinese art scene," Peter Anders said.

In the weekend following the opening, the Goethe-Institut is providing a varied range of programs including video work from Berlin artist Ute Adamczewski. An international symposium will also be held for architects, designers and media experts from China and Germany to discuss the question "Can Design Change Society?"