Image Credit : Chillshine Studio
Project Overview
YanTaiShan of Fuzhou city is located on the south bank of the Minjiang River. It is known as the ‘Museum of Universal Architecture, which means that the YanTaiShan area is a complete and authentic representation of the traditional pattern and history of the city of Fuzhou. This project, YANTAISHAN Commercial Block, is part of the renovation of the YanTaiShan historical district. Therefore, the design team extracted the architectural tradition of Fuzhou and then adopted it into façade design, attempting to show such tradition and culture to local citizens. People in this place will not only have opportunities to shop for themselves, but also learn the architectural history of this place and even this city.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Cheng Feng, Xu Yuanfeng, Hu Xingxing, Wang Changchun, Li Zhennan, Li Linjiang, Zhang Zhao
Project Brief
Based on the architectural tradition of the site, the design team defined the theme of this project as ‘East meets West.
Regarding spatial form, the main feature is the combination of Chinese courtyards and Western-style public houses, and the space is mainly in the form of courtyards. These courtyards are linked by streets and alleys, and finally form a diverse functional area integrating consulates, foreign businesses, finance and trade, and high-end housing.
According to the terrain and original street space of the site, the project is divided into three blocks using Zhonglie Road and Tingxia Road as the vertical and horizontal dual axis. Zhonglie Road, which runs north-south, connects Cangqian Road to the historic buildings while forming the main transport system for the site with Tingxia Road and Sixianli.
Project Innovation/Need
The street interfaces along Cangqian Road are undulating and combine the design of the central axis with the square in front of the central axis, interspersing typical facades with facades that are unique to YanTaiShan. Therefore, these facades are diverse and resonant. The herringbone pediment and gable detailing draw on the old architectural palette, including gabled windows, ground floor arched pilasters, and brick hexagonal openwork balustrades, finally providing rich architectural details.
Moreover, the facade also extracts the historical architectural genes of YanTaiShan, refining the traditional architectural composition to preserve the 'original' Yantai Mountain. Firstly, the façade inherits the Chinese Chai Pan Alley, with its wooden structure and walls restoring the traditional Chinese style of architecture. The second is the use of the timber and decorative style of the Chai Pan Alley for the walls and theme walls. Last but not least, the projecting eaves and the traditional sloping roof form are both restoring the historical appearance of the YanTaiShan.
After six years of construction, the project has finally been presented with a new look, and it is now a must-visit stopping place that is popular on the Internet. This is undoubtedly the best encouragement for the design team who participated in the project and witnessed the whole construction process.
Design Challenge
The main themes of this project are ‘East meets West’ and ‘The old and the new coexist'. Based on such themes, the design team did not only focus on the clash between the old and the new in terms of architectural form but also on the new and the old in concept, together with inner harmony and rationality. Most importantly, the renewal of people's thinking, lifestyles, and urban management mode was taken into account.
After determining the design strategies, the design team then targeted façade improvements, landscape enhancements, and retail upgrades, finally having the architecture able to be read, the blocks suitable for walking, and the city humane.
Sustainability
The principle of equity in sustainable development requires the design team to provide urban space design that reflects human warmth and humanistic care for vulnerable groups. The ubiquitous greenery retaining walls and raised platform gardens create a three-dimensional and ecological spatial experience. Such diversity of terraces is not only a perfect echo of the topography but also a medium to create new businesses and scenes that are important to the improvement of spatial experiences.
Architecture - Commercial - Constructed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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