Situated on a ridge line along a winding mountain path, the Anaya Jinshanling Art Center emerges naturally from its mountainous site. This location connects the vast northern mountains and links the community spanning from the ridge to the valley below. Residents returning home or visitors ascending the mountain road first encounter the art center, which serves as a welcoming landmark. The east and south faces overlook the expansive mountain views from a high vantage point, while the north side faces a villa complex cascading down the hillside. To the west, the building borders the community’s edge at Shou Shu Community street, reinforcing its role as a community gateway and central hub.
The design aims to create a modest yet distinctive landmark that harmonizes with the natural surroundings while integrating seamlessly with the human scale of nearby community streets. The building features a polygonal, single-sloped roof with a substantial form, resting on a base surrounded by retaining walls. This design imparts a commemorative presence facing the mountains. Meanwhile, the roof’s height and slope reduce to a lower façade on the side facing the community, aligning with the scale of adjacent villas.
The building’s foundation and surrounding retaining walls form a cohesive whole, carefully designed to moderate the perceived scale for pedestrians along the road. At the triangular terrace’s tip on the base, a 2.1-meter-high shuttle-shaped structure anchors the space. Steps between this and the adjacent villa’s retaining wall invite pedestrians to ascend naturally, leading into the community’s internal streets near the art center. On the mountain-facing side, the pedestal forms a small plaza where the continuity between outdoor flooring and interior space blurs boundaries, directing visitors’ gaze outward toward the mountains and sky.
Addressing the relationship between architecture and nature was a key challenge in designing the Brick Pavilion. Visitors ascending the winding mountain path already enjoy scenic views. The question was how to create fresh, engaging experiences within the building itself.
Fifteen brick “pillar pavilions,” each serving different functions, come together to form a large covered “brick pavilion.” The spaces between these pillars create moments of “chance encounters” with the landscape. Familiar views and natural light filter through the pillars, dividing and reshaping the scenery in ways that spark new imagination and experiences. This architectural arrangement not only frames the surrounding mountains but also defines the building’s interior atmosphere. The solid brick pavilions establish a distinctive architectural character while warmly accommodating exterior lighting.
The brick pavilions serve a variety of purposes: entrance pavilions, transitional spaces between areas, reading and resting spots, children’s play areas, mountain view points, elevators, staircases, auxiliary rooms, and restrooms. These 15 brick pillars divide the interior into three main zones: entrance and service, rest and coffee area, and a large activity space with auxiliary rooms. Additional spaces are arranged around the central activity area. The design combines spaces of varying scales, from intimate corners for small groups to venues suitable for larger gatherings and events. The “pillar pavilions” embody both everyday utility and timeless presence.
Project Drawings
△ Hand-drawn Sketch
△ Hand-drawn Sketch
△ Hand-drawn Sketch
△ Model Diagram
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Sectional Elevation View
△ Plan Analysis Diagram
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Detailed Section M
△ Detailed Section L
Project Information
Architectural Design: Shanghai Arkomixing Architectural Design Firm
Area: 908 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Runzi Zhu
Principal Architects: Zhuang Shen, Ren Hao, Tang Yu, Zhu Jie
Design Team: Zhuang Shen, Gong Chenxi, Qiu Mei, Yi Ning, Li Jiahong, Xu Fan, Zhang Haochen, Li Wenwei (intern), Liang Jun (intern)
Client: Chengde Anaya Real Estate Development Co., Ltd
Structural Design: Shanghai Yuangui Architectural Structural Design Firm
Mechanical and Electrical Design: Tongji University Architectural Design and Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Design: Shanghai Xima Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: Ruosi Lighting Design Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Construction: Southern Lion Creation Group Co., Ltd
Construction Parties: Heilongjiang Sanjiang Construction Group Co., Ltd., Chengde Hongsheng Construction and Installation Co., Ltd
Location: Chengde, China
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