Construction of the Tianren Landscape Art Community began around 2020, aiming to promote the village’s development and improve villagers’ welfare. Street vending in the village is a spontaneous activity, with stalls set up randomly at the village’s start and end, often in front of villagers’ homes. When everyone gathers, a market naturally forms. Locals refer to this as “taking advantage of the market.” To support this, the Tianren Shanshui Art Community built a “village house” at the village junction. This versatile space serves as a temporary marketplace, a shelter from the sun and rain, a waiting area for trains, and a venue for festival activities. It also acts as an open-air art museum in the fields.
This space fosters interaction between urban visitors and villagers, offering shelter from the sun and rain while immersing visitors in nature. Preserving local culture is essential here. Tourists enjoy selecting and bargaining for local specialties directly from farmers—a pleasure that contrasts sharply with the impersonal shopping experience of supermarkets and malls. Taoran Village is vibrant and diverse: travelers come and go, people wait for trains, and irregular public events and art salons bring vitality to the area. The subdued gray tones of the building’s background blend harmoniously with the multifunctional uses of the space.
Situated in the countryside, the building’s design reflects a simple, rustic character. The exposed concrete frame reveals the wood grain from the formwork without any decorative finishes. The structure has no enclosed boundaries, allowing the breeze, the scent of rice, and the farmland scenery to flow freely inside. Black ceramic tiles, industrial fans, and steel pipe fences maintain a plain and functional aesthetic. The material textures harmonize with the rural environment, while the architectural form uses bold design to break monotony. The curved facade and roof consist of 41 rows of sturdy concrete frames arranged with rhythmic variation, creating a striking visual effect against the backdrop of farmland and mountains.
The texture of the concrete finish required careful consideration. Several tests were conducted with different materials for the formwork, including bamboo of varying diameters and woods with different grains. Ultimately, pine wood was selected. To achieve a rougher, more robust texture, the pine boards were carbonized, resulting in a clear and striking finish that satisfied the design requirements.
From the perspective of rural tourism infrastructure and village co-development, Taoran Village represents a valuable experiment. It integrates seamlessly with the local climate, culture, and street vending traditions. In regions with warm winters and hot summers, the open design allows natural ventilation, creating a comfortable and pleasant environment. Birds and insects freely roam the space, enhancing the agricultural atmosphere. The simple yet modern architecture elevates the village’s artistic spirit. Like a child returning home after learning art elsewhere, the building blends a familiar, friendly presence with a unique artistic temperament.
Project Drawings
△ Plan view
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Structural schematic diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: Haoyuan Group Design Center
Area: 810 square meters
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Rujia Lin
Principal Architect: Zhang Jian
Design Team: (Architecture) Li Jinhui, Yang Runlun; (Landscape) Peng Weiqing, Wang Ling, Shen Zhiwei, Guo Siyu
Construction Drawing Design Team: (Architecture) Li Yan, Pan Weijiang, Zhang Chunling, Chao Zhipeng, Huang Zijian, He Guichang, Chen Jiapian; (Structure) Li Weifeng, Qiu Wenjie, Feng Zhining, Zhang Dongsheng, Luo Liping; (Water Supply and Drainage) Ye Zhiliang, Li Jianjun, Xu Wei, Wang Junhui, Feng Haonan; (Electrical) Huang Yuqing, Tian Lichun, Li Cunxiao, Zhang Wenwu, Kuang Weimin; (HVAC) Chen Xiaohui, Li Xiaohui, Mao Jin, Li Yong
Construction Unit: Guangdong Tianren Shanshui Tourism Management Co., Ltd
Location: Guangzhou, China
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