△ Floodlight Diagram of Dayu Memorial Hall
Dayu, the founder of China’s first dynasty, the Xia Dynasty, was a legendary water control leader who dedicated 13 years to combating floods in ancient prehistoric times. His efforts established a harmonious relationship among heaven, earth, and humanity, laying the foundation for a people-centered spirit that cherishes the well-being of generations of Chinese descendants.
△ Floodlight Diagram of Dayu Memorial Hall
The Dayu Memorial Hall is situated in the Dayu Mausoleum scenic area, encompassing 4,800 square meters above ground and 22,000 square meters underground. This memorial honors the founding emperor and serves as a spatial vessel preserving Dayu’s enduring spirit in modern times. Our design seeks to uncover architectural essence by referencing broader contexts beyond the immediate site. The axis not only connects historical and cultural contexts but also guides the building’s orientation and layout.
△ Project Overall Plan
△ Hand-drawn Overall Plan
In pursuit of architectural form, whether rooted in the modern architectural principle “function determines form” or the contrasting idea “form causes function,” form remains the primary vehicle for expressing architectural spirit. We have deliberately integrated elements associated with Dayu, such as the Nine Tripod Cauldrons and water control vessels, into the architectural forms in a tangible way. Ultimately, the design emphasizes a more introspective and abstract spiritual metaphor, employing sophisticated architectural language to illustrate Dayu’s transcendence from human to deity, from external to internal.
△ Entrance
△ Hand-drawn Sketches
Architecture serves as a vessel for collective memory and national spiritual beliefs. When forgotten, it fades into darkness. The design features various courtyards that overlook majestic mountain and river scenery, reflecting the passage of the four seasons. The meditation space eschews concrete materials to offer an equal spiritual space that fosters humanistic feelings and awakens the national soul of harmonious coexistence among heaven, earth, and man.
△ Water Scenery
We prioritize respecting the natural order, carefully shaping the mountains and waterways on site. Through landscape design, we reshape the relationship between architecture and nature, striving for a harmonious balance between building mass and natural surroundings.
Overall Bird’s-Eye View
△ Hand-drawn Sketches
The architecture respects the cultural and historical context of the site, reflecting the circular altar and Nine Dragon Altar through its complete square form. This arrangement orchestrates group relationships, embodying Dayu’s royal dignity.
△ Individual Perspective View
△ Hand-drawn Sketches
The central meditation hall avoids the use of concrete and iconographic worship, focusing instead on evoking feelings of remembrance and resonance.
The symbiotic courtyard space softens traditional expressions of reverence, blending royal authority with civil rights.
Shared spaces transcend social and political divisions, reflecting ideals of equality and people-first values.
We believe this interpretation best captures the spirit of Dayu.
△ Aerial View
△ Hand-drawn Sketches
The courtyard spaces in the design not only honor the spiritual tribute of the Chinese nation to their ancestor Dayu but also provide a place for reflection, appreciation of essence, and absorption of the Chinese spiritual system.
△ Entrance
△ Hand-drawn Sketches
△ Hand-drawn Sketches
The courtyard spaces also embody traditional Chinese adherence to axial form and order, serving as ‘courtyards’ that organize spatial flow, gather focal points, and frame views of the natural landscape.
△ Garden Road
The design harmonizes with surrounding ritual and educational sites as well as the natural environment. The essence of Dayu Memorial Hall lies in embodying wisdom through light and shadow, creating a balanced and harmonious coexistence across time and space.
△ Interior
△ Courtyard
△ Floodlight Diagram of Dayu Memorial Hall
Planar Drawings
△ Basement Level
△ First Floor
△ Mezzanine Level
△ Second Floor
△ Roof Level
Project Information
Project Name: Dayu Memorial Hall
Design Company: Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Design Guidance: He Jingtang, Wu Zhongping
Architectural Design: Dong Danshen, Hu Huifeng, Jiang Lanlan, Huang Weiwei, Huang Diqi, Han Lifan, Zhang Yujun
Structural Design: Xiao Zhibin, Zhang Jie, Ding Ziwen, Shen Zeping, He Lihong, Chen Xu, Lv Junfeng
HVAC Design: Yang Yi, Wang Yalin, Pan Dahong, Ding De
Electrical Design: Li Ping, Wu Xuhui, Yu Liang
Water Design: Yi Jiasong, Zhang Zhenyu
Weak Current Design: Lin Hua, Ye Agile, Yang Guozhong, Li Xiangqun
Interior Design: Zhang Yi, Zhao Yijie, Xu Xiaojia, Yu Zhibin, Luo Kaiming, Niu Dong
Landscape Design: Wu Weiling, Wang Jietao, Xu Conghua, Wu Di, Yao Haiyan, He Ying, Gu Jingxian, Xu Feitong, Liu Qing, Zhang Chi, Lin Teng, Huang Jingyi
Curtain Wall Design: Bai Qi’an, Yu Ping, Cao Dongqiu, Zhang Moran, Hu Liangze
Lighting Design: Wang Xiaodong, Song Luoying, Liang Xiaoyue
Excavation Design: Xu Quanbiao, Zeng Kai, Chen Gang, Liao Kewu, Chen Shengxian
Economy: Chu Qianbo, Sun Wentong
Location: Shaoxing, China
Expected Completion: October 2020
Total Building Area: 27,913.01 m²
Owner: Shaoxing Kuaijishan Resort Dayu Development Investment Co., Ltd.
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