Project Overview
Open Garden invites visitors into a unique immersive art experience, where cutting-edge digital interaction harmonises with tradition. Built on mechanical structures and imbued with the soul of classical Chinese poetry and historical allusions, it creates an ethereal Eastern garden that seamlessly blends reality with imagination.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
XIAOJIN Vision (Beijing) Technology Co. , Ltd
Team
XIAOJIN Vision (Beijing) Technology Co. , Ltd
Project Brief
Located in the bustling Xinjiekou district of Nanjing, the project takes inspiration from “An Epigraph in Praise of My Humble Home,” a classical text by Tang Dynasty literary master Liu Yuxi. Featuring captivating art installations and diverse thematic scenes, it creates an immersive “China-chic miniature world.”
High-tech mechanical puppets and animatronic figures vividly enact different stories, transforming the ethereal elegance of traditional landscape painting into a real-world experience. By seamlessly integrating classical Chinese aesthetics and historical allusions into a commercial setting, the project offers visitors a unique shopping experience within an artistic atmosphere that is both educational and entertaining.
Project Innovation/Need
Embracing the new Chinese style, the project brings to life 13 classic historical and literary allusions through advanced technology—from the graceful image of the beauty Xi Shi washing clothes, to the perseverance symbolized in grinding an iron rod into a needle, the pastoral scene of a shepherd boy riding an ox, the respectful story of students standing in the snow to seek guidance from their master, and the poetic solitude of an old man fishing alone on a snow-covered river.
Each figure is brought to life through intricate mechanical engineering, seamlessly blending traditional literary imagery with modern technological innovation to create a distinctive and immersive artistic experience. As visitors wander through the space, they are not only captivated by the visual beauty but also deeply engaged with the unique wisdom of China's rich cultural heritage.
Moreover, the design thoughtfully balances natural elements—such as plant landscapes—with biomimetic robotics, ensuring a seamless and harmonious integration of artifice and nature within each scene In its synergy of art and technology, this project bridges the past and the present by embedding literary symbolism into micro-scenes and high-tech puppetry, allowing viewers to embark on a timeless journey that resonates with the spirit of ancient literati.
Design Challenge
Creating a miniature landscape within a limited indoor space of approximately 600 square meters presented several design and engineering challenges, including height restrictions and load-bearing limitations. In addition, integrating elements such as simulated rocks, a mix of real and synthetic plants, and water features required careful planning, especially in balancing the proportion between plant landscapes and biomimetic robots.
Material choices were also constrained due to these considerations. After multiple rounds of refinement and adjustment, the design team successfully harmonised the entire scene within the indoor environment by optimising spatial layouts, carefully curating element combinations, and selecting appropriate materials.
Given the miniature scale of the thematic scenes and puppets, their performance posed further technical difficulties, including limited arm movement range, visual interference caused by the appearance of mechanical components, and delays in motion execution due to the large number of motors and wiring.
To address these issues—such as signal transmission and motor control—the team meticulously designed the motion joints of puppets, utilised high-performance flexible shielded cables, and enhanced motor output through gearbox integration. These improvements ensured smooth, continuous movements, significantly improving both the technological sophistication and artistic quality of the project.
Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability:
The integration of simulated rocks, real and artificial plants, and water features creates a harmonious ecological environment. Moreover, thoughtfully selected materials have been refined through multiple iterations to minimise the project’s environmental footprint.
Cultural Sustainability:
Drawing inspiration from classical Chinese poetry and cultural allusions, the project blends tradition with innovation by incorporating advanced technology. This design revitalises traditional culture in modern society and fosters a deeper connection between heritage and contemporary life. By integrating cultural elements into a commercial setting, this approach cultivates consumer interest and emotional engagement with traditional culture, thus effectively supporting its preservation and continued evolution.
Commercial Sustainability:
Strategically located in Nanjing’s thriving Xinjiekou district, the project redefines the retail experience by centring on the new Chinese style, enriched with immersive art installations and cutting-edge technology. This fusion creates a distinctive commercial environment—one that is culturally enriching, engaging, and educational. The innovative commercial model not only attracts consumers but also enhances commercial competitiveness and appeal, ensuring long-term viability for business development.
Interior Design - International Public or Institutional
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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