The LEAF Awards for Outstanding Architects in Europe recently announced their final nominees for 2019, and the Xiaomi Vinegar Museum was proudly shortlisted in the Best Refurbishment Project category.
To date, the Xiaomi Vinegar Museum has received four international accolades, including the LEAF Awards, Architizer A+ Awards, Iconic Awards for German Logo Design, and the 2A Continental Architectural Awards for InterContinental Architecture. Additional honors include the WAN Awards from the World Architecture News Network in the UK, The Architecture Master Prize from the US, and the German Design Award (Ger) from the German National Design Award.
About the Awards:
LEAF Awards for Outstanding Architects in Europe:
With a history spanning over 17 years, the LEAF Awards recognize projects that set the benchmark for the future of architectural design. Last year, the competition attracted record-breaking international entries from countries such as Britain, the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Kuwait, France, India, Brazil, Spain, Türkiye, and many others. The shortlisted projects hail from globally renowned firms like Zaha Hadid Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Perkins & Will, Nikken Sekkei, West-line Studio, Davide Macullo Architects, Sanjay Puri Architects, SOM, Foster + Partners, GOA, Tetsuo Kobori Architects, R&A Architecture, among others.
Architizer A+ Award:
The Architizer A+ Award is among the world’s most prestigious design honors. Organized by Architizer—the largest architectural media platform globally—and co-hosted by internationally respected publications such as The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, it promotes collaboration and cross-disciplinary innovation. The award encourages designers to push creative boundaries, challenge conventions, and showcase exemplary practical solutions. Esteemed firms like Gensler, SOM, BIG, Zaha Hadid Architects, and MAD have all been recipients of the A+ Awards.
The Xiaomi Vinegar Museum is situated in Wangcun Town, Zhoucun District, Zibo City, Shandong Province. The project involved renovating and expanding the original factory area of Shandong Huawang Brewing Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Zibo Wangcun Brewing Factory).
▲ Original appearance of the building
The ancient heritage of vinegar making and the traditional containers such as jars and pots inspired the design concept. The building’s overall form is a simple cube. Drawing from Laozi’s philosophy that “great form is beyond shape, and great music has the faintest notes,” the facade texture resembles a geological fault line, making the structure appear as if it naturally emerged from the earth. The grooves on the facade echo the imprints of ancient buried containers, subtly imprinted onto the cubic form.
Cracks symbolize the vitality of nature and are everywhere—from cracked soil and plant veins to animal fur and cellular structures. Ancient Chinese porcelain also embraced firing cracks on its surface. This texture is echoed in the building details, emphasizing its harmonious connection with the earth.
Inside the building, the theme of traditional vessels continues. The concave shape of the “jar” at the entrance creates a natural canopy and serves as a visual focal point on the facade. The adjoining hemispherical hall invites visitors into a captivating spatial experience.
Sunlight filters through the dome, casting shadows shaped like vinegar jars. These shadows evolve throughout the day, reflecting the thoughtful ingenuity behind the design.
Details of the Hemispherical Facade:
▲ General layout plan
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
Project Information:
Project: Zibo Xiaomi Vinegar Museum
Location: Zibo City, Shandong Province
Design Team: Professor Zhang Hua’s Studio, Tianjin University Architectural Design and Research Institute
Principal Architect: Zhang Hua
Design Team Members: Huang Nanbei, Wang Qian, Sun (BIM) Qingwen, Zhai Xiangtao, Li Qian, Guoqing, Bao Fengqi
Building Area: 835.65 square meters
Project Year: 2018
Photography: Existence of Buildings
Email: zhanghua-architect@163.com
Website: www.zhanghua-a.com
Awards:
2019 European Forum of Outstanding Architects Architecture Award ABB LEAF AWARDS
2019 Architizer A+ Awards Grand Prize
2019 Iconic Awards German Logo Design Award
2018 2A Continental Architectural Awards
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up