“Go to the boundless realm and discover the beauty and diversity of nature.” – Le Corbusier
Project Background: Between the Jing and Wei Rivers
The Wenlan Mansion at Xi’an Sunshine City is situated in the Jinghe New City area of Xixian New District, approximately 30 kilometers from Xi’an’s city center. It borders the meandering Jinghe River to the north, with the towering Chongwen Pagoda—China’s tallest ancient brick tower—standing further north. This historic pagoda has stood for thousands of years, overlooking the vast Qinchuan River stretching over 800 miles.
Wenlan Mansion is a mixed-use community featuring 12 high-rise buildings alongside Western-style houses and commercial spaces. Upon completion, it will offer 571 residential units within the core of Jinghe New City. Currently, the demonstration zone known as “Wenlan Academy” is operational. Initially serving as the project’s reception center, it will later be converted into community support facilities. The entire project is slated for completion in 2021.
The Spirit of the Place: Peaceful and Enduring
As the era of “Great Xi’an” unfolds, the city is experiencing rapid urban expansion. With its rich history as an ancient capital, Xi’an embodies profound cultural heritage. For us as architects, respecting the cultural significance of Chongwen Tower was our foremost priority. Our design aims to preserve the cultural identity of the area while seamlessly integrating contemporary life, imbuing the building with the city’s modern cultural values.
The Chongwen Pagoda exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient construction, embodying the idea of “building towers to promote culture.” The design of Wenlan Academy is inspired by traditional Chinese academies, translating their spirit into modern architectural form. The space fosters a rich cultural atmosphere with an introspective and contemplative ambiance, resonating with today’s urban dwellers seeking a connection to traditional values.
Design Concept: Wenlan Academy
The building is composed of three interlocking boxes of varying sizes, twisting around each other to create dynamic gaps. Its height gradually steps down from east to west, harmonizing with the city’s corner space and forming a terrace that offers views of the Chongwen Tower. Given the site’s ongoing development, the base is enclosed by walls, shielding the interior from the surrounding environment. This arrangement creates multiple inner courtyards of different scales, guiding foot traffic through these spaces to offer a layered and diverse experience.
▲ Concept Sketch
▲ Massing Model
▲ Aerial View of Roof (Under Construction)
▲ Street Perspective
Circulation and Experience: Step by Step, Revealing Unique Views
1. First Courtyard Entrance
The entrance design is understated and modest, guiding visitors through an arch bridge into the “gap” formed between the stone wall and the building. Positioned to one side, the entrance uses subtle spatial arrangements to buffer external noise, creating a serene transition into the building.
▲ Entrance Space with Water Features
2. Second Courtyard Entrance
The spatial sequence inspired by traditional academies and garden walls runs throughout the project. The combination of “walls” and “courtyards” achieves a clean and minimalist aesthetic.
3. Third Courtyard Entrance
The design of multiple entrances and courtyards enhances the welcoming atmosphere, enriching the journey home. Drawing inspiration from traditional garden design, walls define several courtyards of varying sizes, creating distinct spatial experiences within the building complex.
Material Expression
The facade utilizes white marble and gray coated glass, abstracting traditional masonry techniques into a modern architectural language. The staggered arrangement of the facade resembles a bookshelf, with recessed areas illuminated to create dynamic light and shadow effects.
▲ White sand beige stone fence
▲ Gray coated glass curtain wall
Conclusion
The Wenlan Mansion at Xi’an Sunshine City represents a thoughtful exploration of blending old and new urban elements through architecture. Here, tradition and modernity intersect harmoniously in the historic capital city of Xi’an. The building serves as a welcoming sales office, a gateway to home, and a space fostering a strong sense of community within a compact environment.
Technical Drawings
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Second Floor Plan
▲ Third Floor Plan
▲ South Elevation View
▲ Section View
▲ Wall Node Detail
Project Information
Project Name: Wenlan Mansion, Xi’an Sunshine City
Owner: Shaanxi Xuzhiguang Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Location: Xi’an, China
Architectural Design and Construction Drawings: Shanghai Tianhua Architectural Design Co., Ltd., Xi’an Tianhua Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Design Directors: Jing Zhelu, Hu Runzhi
Design Team (Proposal): Wang Zhi, Xin Wu, Jia Yi, Guo Zhenghao, Zhang Wenhua, Wen Zhi, Liu Fengzhou, Zhu Jinqiu, Zhai Mingxiu, Liu Min
Design Team (Construction Drawings): Wang Xiaodong, Wang Feibin, Bao Baowei, Ma Guowen, Kang Xuefei, Xu Ningning, Xiao Yang, Liu Haoxin, Jianmin, Wang Xiusen, Li Kai, Liu Zhenzhen, All Outstanding, Yang Fan, Hou Xin, Zhang Yansi, Ling Yan
Business Cooperation Hotline: 13818956965
General Manager of Client’s Design Team: Ren Rui
Client’s Design Team: Zhao Huimei, Li Juanjuan, Yang Tingshi Yue
Land Area: 28,162 square meters
Building Area: 1,400 square meters
Building Materials: White sand, beige stone, gray coated glass, silver-gray aluminum panels
Landscape Design: Shanghai Luolang Landscape Engineering Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: Shanghai Yuguo Decoration Design Co., Ltd. (soft decoration), Shanghai Keyi Architectural Design Co., Ltd. (hard decoration)
Curtain Wall Design: Beijing Kaishun Teng Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd.
Design Period: April 2019 – December 2019
Architectural Photography: Unrestrained Architectural Photography
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