The Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall, commissioned by GWP Architectural Firm, is dedicated to honoring my father’s life journey and his profound love and dedication to his country and the Chinese nation. I hope this tribute will resonate deeply and inspire more people.
——Zeng Zhiming
Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
Chairman of Jinlilai Group
Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong Hakka Association
President of Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
In recent years, amidst the evolving “dual circulation” economic development model, the country has placed strong emphasis on promoting and preserving the patriotic spirit of contemporary entrepreneurs. This memorial hall project was conceived to honor Mr. Zeng Xianzi’s unwavering dedication to his nation and community, while fostering new opportunities to influence the city’s cultural and patriotic landscape.
Project Background
Fist, Fist, Chizi, Heart, Yin, Mulberry, Ziqing
Location Map of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
The memorial is situated at No. 12-9 Yueyingtang, Meijiang District, Meizhou City, a region characterized by eight mountains, one river, and one farmland. The original Yinlilai Building witnessed the beginning and culmination of Mr. Zeng Xianzi’s patriotic journey. The surrounding neighborhood is a traditional residential block of historic streets and adjoining buildings, featuring compact yet vibrant spaces filled with the simple, lively atmosphere of everyday life. Traditional Hakka walled houses, roadside shops, and residences collectively tell the story and urban memory of this site.
Designers faced the unique challenge of ensuring the memorial hall expressed its commemorative purpose through spatial experience and architectural ambiance, while imbuing the site with lasting spiritual and cultural significance for the city.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
Design Concept
Chinese-style flying eaves cast shadows on the inscription stone commemorating life achievements.
△ Hand-drawn draft of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
Our goal is for the memorial hall to offer visitors an approachable and deeply meaningful experience that reflects local culture and embodies the profound patriotic spirit. Rather than limiting itself to traditional display methods, the hall aims to be an immersive, dynamic space rich with varied emotions. — GWP Chief Architect Zhang Guowei and team
At the outset, the GWP team refrained from pursuing a flashy, avant-garde design. Instead, they focused on embodying Mr. Zeng Xianzi’s patriotism and Jinlilai’s corporate culture. The building incorporates traditional Chinese-style eaves and upturned corners within a sturdy, monumental stone-like form, symbolizing Mr. Zeng’s lifelong perseverance. This stone-like structure carries our lasting reverence for him.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
The design reimagines spatial organization to revitalize the neighborhood. It anchors itself within the urban fabric, enhancing the surrounding community while incorporating contemporary vitality and multifunctionality. By integrating the patriotic spirit of Mr. Zeng as a core theme, the hall creates a culturally rich community space with strong regional identity—empowering the building with educational and social significance.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
Site Planning
Open and shared community spaces
Analysis of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
Given the site’s spatial constraints, surrounding buildings, and land use, the design team adopted a strategy of “space recession and volume control” to reflect Mr. Zeng’s modest character. This approach creates necessary transitional zones between the memorial hall and the bustling streets, mitigating site challenges.
The elevated first floor structure allows the building to blend into daily residential life, offering an open boundary that invites the community to walk, rest, and engage within the memorial’s facade space. Consequently, the hall functions as a freely accessible public space for everyday use.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
The building scale harmonizes with traditional neighboring residences, fostering dialogue and connection within open spaces. These areas support cultural gatherings and events, allowing the memorial to host diverse narratives and experiences.
Spatial Organization
Dynamic circulation and spatial flow
△ Hand-drawn analysis diagram of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
The team emphasized that interior details should embody the enduring spirit of the memorial’s central figure. The indoor spaces revolve around patriotic education, narrating Mr. Zeng’s turbulent life and his service to the nation. Visitors ascend a circular staircase—the visual centerpiece of the entrance lobby—and proceed through a historic and artistic corridor on the first floor, beginning their cultural and intellectual journey.
Analysis of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
As visitors move through the hall, they seamlessly experience the Xianzi School, the three major fund exhibition halls, and other attractions arranged around the central atrium. Specialized spaces, such as the 3D technology corridor, guide visitors through a carefully curated narrative—from a pair of scissors and sewing machine to a powerful sense of patriotism.
These exhibits highlight Mr. Zeng Xianzi’s steadfast support for national sports, aerospace, and education, fostering a natural dialogue between patriotic sentiment and modern urban life.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
Looking upward through the courtyard, sunlight filters through a circular skylight, casting light onto the stargazing platform. The interplay of light and shadow creates a serene space for reflection, inviting visitors to contemplate Mr. Zeng Xianzi’s dedication to his homeland and society.
This feature also symbolizes asteroid No. 3388, named in his honor—a distinction he once described as a gift from the motherland.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
The design thoughtfully considers visitor experience and interaction, further defining narrative spaces. After exploring the exhibitions, visitors can ascend the circular staircase to the top-floor Tianmian Tea Room, where they may relax, listen to the breeze, and enjoy tea while overlooking the traditional street views.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
The spatial arrangement allows different areas to blend seamlessly, flexibly accommodating the diverse interests of various visitor groups and providing an immersive, step-by-step experience.
Building Construction
The fusion of culture and character
Through a deep interpretation of Mr. Zeng’s spirit and the local culture, the GWP team sought to balance modern architectural aesthetics with his simple and humble qualities. This approach influenced the choice of materials, spatial atmosphere, and facade design.
Drawing from traditional enclosed house forms, the building’s cornice details have become a defining landmark of the memorial. The long, arched wooden architectural elements give the structure breathability and a natural charm reminiscent of a bird’s flight, while providing an ever-changing skylight inside—evoking youthful and spirited energy that transcends appearances.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
Additionally, the building’s openings are oriented to complement nearby traditional enclosed houses, allowing visitors to appreciate the rich heritage of enclosed house culture, vibrant street life, and tranquil water scenery framed by reflective surfaces and eaves.
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
In line with Jinlilai’s corporate culture of “Son of China, My Family, My Country,” the design integrates architectural elements such as structure, space, light, shadow, and color to create a strong, expressive character for the building. This design subtly conveys that a person’s character is like “gold”—unyielding, pure, and unwavering, remaining true to oneself without compromise.
△ Hand-drawn draft of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
The memorial’s facade materials combine natural stone horizontal walls with traditional blue brick facades, creating a striking contrast of light and shadow. These elements form a series of orderly concave and convex Chinese textures, imparting unique commemorative significance that reflects Mr. Zeng’s humble and patriotic nature.
Analysis of Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall © GWPArchitects
△ Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall rendering © GWPArchitects
Mr. Zeng Xianzi’s legacy extends beyond founding the “Jinlilai” brand; it is deeply rooted in his patriotic and selfless dedication to the motherland. This inspiring spirit is both rare and pure.
The memorial hall integrates a personal commemorative narrative into the site, striving to capture his spirit at every level—from spatial planning and construction to interior details. The hall’s educational significance and influence will be passed down through generations via this public space experience.
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan © GWP Architects
△ First floor plan © GWP Architects
△ Second floor plan © GWP Architects
△ Third floor plan © GWP Architects
△ Fourth floor plan © GWP Architects
△ Fifth floor plan © GWP Architects
△ East elevation view © GWP Architects
Southwest elevation view © GWP Architects
Northwest elevation view © GWP Architects
△ North elevation view © GWP Architects
Project Information
Project Name: Zeng Xianzi Memorial Hall
Architectural Design: GWP Architecture Firm
Structural Consultant: RBS Rongbaisheng Structural Firm
Location: Meizhou, China
Building Area: 4,086 square meters
Land Area: 2,588 square meters
Materials: Stone, Blue Brick, Aluminum Alloy, Embossed Glass
Categories: Urban Renewal, Memorial Hall, Cultural Exhibition Space
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