Few are aware that in Chengdu’s Jinniu District lies Yiyuan, China’s first private garden art museum. The park is home to towering ancient trees and lush greenery. Flowing streams, bridges, and waterscapes harmonize beautifully, while unique stones and historic pillars stand in various poses, preserving the simplicity and vibrancy of traditional Chinese garden architecture.
Over time, Yiyuan fell into neglect and disrepair, longing for renewal. By a fortunate coincidence, the Shanghai Dajiang Architectural Design Firm was entrusted with renovating a structure within Yiyuan known as “Yiyuan Xiaozhu.”
Challenges and Current Conditions of Yiyuan Xiaozhu:
1. The building features a complex structure combining brick concrete, cast-in-place concrete, and wooden elements. To avoid safety risks, no additional loads were added to the original structure. Furthermore, any modifications involving the exterior façade and original building must be detachable.
2. The façade layers are disorganized and patchwork-like, lacking material coherence, which affects user experience.
3. The entrance gate reflects Western Sichuan residential style but appears short and aged, with an unclear distinction between interior and exterior spaces.
4. Seven ancient trees grow very close to the buildings, some as near as 15 centimeters according to BIM design data.
Yiyuan before renovation
Yiyuan before renovation
Yiyuan before renovation
Yiyuan before renovation
Yiyuan before renovation
Current State of Yiyuan Xiaozhu
Concept Render – Floating Garden
The artistic spirit of ink landscapes gently permeates the scenery. The building’s new façade is entirely detached from the original structure, ensuring safety while fostering a seamless interaction between architecture and garden.
Five Principles Guiding the Renovation:
1. Simplify the design style with deliberate blank spaces and key features.
2. Emphasize materiality through glass, metal mesh, and white walls.
3. Balance new construction with preservation—honoring history and maintaining original appearances and details.
4. Preserve every tree to ensure harmony between architecture and landscape, maintaining Yiyuan’s legacy.
5. Adapt to local conditions and contemporary trends: The front and back courtyards receive contrasting treatments—one heavy and enclosed, the other light and open—creating a refined garden interaction.
All trees preserved after renovation
Renovation Process: Disassembly and Reconstruction
Step 1: Smooth the exterior walls using Etta board and paint them white. Paint the eaves dark gray and replace the roof tiles.
Step 2: Avoid the main structure by burying the foundation and erecting vertical support components. Seal doors and windows.
Step 3: Wrap the copper door with metal rods and glass; apply waterproofing treatment to the roof. Fix horizontal support components onto the structural columns to create an external framework.
Step 4: Complete the installation of the external U-shaped glass, lightbox, and inner canvas system. Finish installing metal curtains and copper doors.
Architectural Tone
Yiyuan Xiaozhu serves as a public space. On one hand, it already features an inward-facing layout. The designers improved and transformed the interior to ensure safety and comfort while providing visitors with an artistic spatial experience. On the other hand, the architecture strives to connect with the gardens and embrace openness to nature. The approach avoids treating Yiyuan merely as a scenic backdrop—shifting instead to foster a genuine interaction between visitors and their environment. The significance of this place extends beyond providing a picturesque view, offering instead a purposeful direction and experience.
After six months, the renovation of Yiyuan Xiaozhu was completed and revitalized. Follow-up by the designers revealed that the project achieved a high degree of restoration at completion. Even more gratifying, the refurbished space has been warmly embraced by Chengdu’s citizens.
On the reopening day, despite the gloomy winter weather, Yiyuan was bathed in warm sunlight. Passersby flocked to take photos in traditional Hanfu attire, touched the ancient bronze gates, and playfully interacted with the large white geese in the garden. At that moment, Chengdu’s winter felt truly warm.
Project Drawings
Yiyuan Geographic Location (BIM Training)
All trees preserved after renovation
All trees preserved after renovation
Hand-drawn sketch by Hong Dongtao
Decomposition diagram of the Yiyuan Xiaozhu renovation
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Elevation Drawings
Detail Drawings
Project Information
Architect: Shanghai Dajiang Architectural Design Firm
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Project Type: Renovation
Lead Architect: Hong Dongtao
Design Team: Hong Dongtao, Zhang Yuejing, Zhou Xialu, Chen Weiguo, Lu Jiayuan
Building Area: 756.0 m2
Year: 2018
Photography: ArchExist
Landscape Design: Shanghai Landau International Landscape Planning and Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: Chengdu Sharpness Design Consulting Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Chongqing Hemei Architectural Planning and Design Co., Ltd.
Owner: Chengdu Tianyi Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up