This project embraces simplicity by avoiding complex and flashy techniques, focusing instead on materials and construction in a clear and straightforward way. It seamlessly integrates natural landscapes with pure design. While the aim is to dissolve boundaries, this does not mean their disappearance; rather, the goal is to create architecture that suits its environment perfectly.
Perched Atop the Cliff
Located at the summit of Longxing Cliff in Chongqing, this building offers panoramic views and a minimalist design that respects the terrain. The architect strategically positioned the structure on the highest rock formation, taking advantage of the dramatic cliff height differences. By carefully selecting the building’s angle, the design maximizes landscape resources and offers an endless horizon, making the building appear poised like a crane with outstretched wings. Nestled against the mountain, it harmoniously blends with its surroundings, visible and majestic even from ten miles away.
▲ Site Plan Overview
The architecture emphasizes transparency and lightness, reflecting the subtle and sometimes ambiguous relationship between humans and nature. This connection is expressed through spatial boundaries that convey emotional nuances. A vertical sightseeing elevator, approximately 30 meters tall, is located on the northeast side, serving as a bridge that links people and the building.
Spatial Dimensions
The design pursues clear and rational logic in its internal functions, expressing the underlying order in its external form. This cliff-facing clubhouse features simple, geometric shapes stacked and interwoven, including an exhibition center, a time gallery, a spherical projection hall, an infinity pool overlooking the cliff, and a terrace bar. Indoor and outdoor spaces are seamlessly connected, creating a transparent and flowing environment.
▲ Concept Sketch
▲ Form Generation
▲ Sectional View
▲ Sectional View
The project features expansive glass curtain walls that offer outstanding transparency, allowing indoor and outdoor landscapes to merge and interact, effectively breaking down spatial barriers. This perfectly showcases the artistic qualities of modern architecture and materials.
Incorporating a graceful spherical form within the clean and efficient architecture enhances the visitor experience. The interplay of materials, textures, and structural elements adds warmth and refinement, truly embodying the essence of construction.
Perceptual Lattice
The structural design (BIM) emphasizes both rational rules and expressive form. The shape derives directly from the glued laminated timber structure, reflecting its functional needs while highlighting spatial continuity through a diamond-shaped grid. This structural aesthetic perfectly balances logic and emotion, the artificial and the natural, engineering and craftsmanship, subtlety and strength, formality and power.
▲ Grid Formation
The 3.7-meter by 2.3-meter diamond-shaped wooden lattice creates a strong sense of order. Visitors moving through this space experience a harmonious flow rather than chaotic visuals. The functions and movement patterns interact positively with the structure itself. The glued laminated timber elements reduce the sense of openness while enhancing spatial hierarchy and artistic expression.
The laminated wood structure offers natural aesthetic benefits, serving not only as a structural element but also as decoration that enriches the interior environment. The design brings the space closer to nature, creating visual harmony and psychological comfort while enhancing the narrative of the space.
Carving Light and Shaping Shadows
The facade pattern corresponds with the diamond grid structure, and when this repetitive pattern reaches its peak, it creates a layered effect. In Chongqing’s seasons with softer light, the architects overcame natural limitations by using material properties to craft delicate and nuanced light and shadow effects. The building’s skin acts as a thin membrane between inside and outside, transcending traditional window and wall forms and becoming a perceptible interface.
▲ Parametric Facade
▲ Building Facade
▲ Building Facade
The building’s exterior is crafted from premium gray metal aluminum panels arranged in triangular compositions. Using parametric design, the bending angles of each panel are precisely controlled. This mathematical order creates dynamic variations across the facade, giving the structure a fluid and elegant appearance.
Craftsmanship and Construction
The main structure is made from laminated wood, including lightweight wooden walls and roof components. This high-prefabrication-rate building overcomes the challenges of construction on a cliff site. Despite rainy winter conditions, the main structure was completed in just three weeks without the need for tower cranes, lowering onsite demands and costs.
All wooden structural parts were prefabricated at the Yancheng factory. To preserve the building’s aesthetic, the exposed steel connections where glued laminated wooden columns meet the lattice wooden beam system are cleverly integrated. Steel parts are bolted and glued to embedded steel beams within the wooden columns, hiding the joints and ensuring a clean, refined appearance.
The project aims to represent its era through form, reconstruct technology through construction, express culture through materials, honor materiality, localize materials, and ultimately create architecture that perfectly fits its context.
▲ Basement Floor Plan
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Roof Plan
▲ North Elevation
▲ Southeast Elevation
▲ West Elevation
Project Details:
Project Name: Chongqing Huayu Liangjiang Yulin Mansion Art Center
Architectural Firm: Shanghai Chengzhi Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Office Website: __AI_ST_URL_0__
Email Contact: __AI_S_SC0__
Lead Architects: Li Jie, Xu Peng, Zhu Liang
Design Team: Li Juan, Liu Gang, Chen Fengfeng
Wood Construction: Shanghai Junzhi Construction Technology Co., Ltd
Construction Managers: Chen Dilong, Li Xiaobin, Luo Aijun
Project Location: Longxing Business District, Liangjiang New Area, Yubei
Completion Date: January 2019
Building Area: 1,640 square meters
Photographer: Visual Presence of Architectural Complex Seals
Owner: Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Xinlu Industrial Co., Ltd
Interior Design: Chongqing Dasong Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Chongqing San Yan Tang Real Estate Consulting Co., Ltd
Soft Decoration: Shanghai Kemer Interior Design Engineering Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: Shanghai Pinguang Lighting Consultant Co., Ltd
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