Cultural architecture, public buildings
YIBIN CHINA, UNDERCONSTRUCTION｜2017
This building is a structure hidden within the urban structure, with almost no city facade except for its position facing the gate of the Wangye Temple. The base is located in the central area of the town, and our design aims to place a place where visitors and residents can communicate and observe Li Zhuang quietly in such a dense area. It should have a unique perspective height and spatial experience. We designed the sixth fa ç ade for this building without a fa ç ade: a traditional eave space in Li Zhuang, organically combined with the "One River Water Hall" (public communication space) and the viewing platform from a seven meter high platform to observe Li Zhuang, showcasing the most distinctive feature of the ancient town, but often lacking in height, the "continuous roof" that we find difficult to see in front of us.
The large-span eaves are designed with modern wooden structures to achieve a uniform and orderly spatial texture. The architectural space under the eaves is shaped with natural materials to create diverse urban spaces, seamlessly connecting with the public spaces of the ancient town, linking the alleys and squares, as if extending the texture of the ancient town. The encounter of two spatial veins creates a surprising and familiar spatial effect: allowing visitors to easily enjoy leisure time in the architectural space, encounter interesting cultures, and discover creative inspiration.
The public space is designed as a place where citizens can live, with commercial spaces that provide simple living services and canteens that offer light meals around the small square. The art exhibition space and children's learning space are also connected to it. We hope to restore the familiar life, mutual trust, and intimate neighbors in the ancient town, and look forward to the unique and creative local culture that can occur in such relaxed communication. The eaves at the entrance form an overlapping pattern of Western Sichuan residential houses, resembling the form of geese returning to their nests: metaphorically, in the rich history of the Anti Japanese War in Li Zhuang, welcoming the returning wanderers and creative young people in the vibrant present, as if the old nest has welcomed a new flock of birds.
Facing a relatively large roof, we adopt a floating design, breaking it down into free eaves that seem to float in the air. The dynamic skyline expresses a smaller scale, which is different from the surrounding traditional buildings and complements each other.