Order Reconstruction and Site Revitalization
Project Overview
The Moonlight CLUB in the City, designed by Yanchuan Architecture, is located in Huaguo Village, Longquanshan, Longquanyi District, Chengdu. This area is a prime example of rural renovation and revitalization, blending traditional village life with modern leisure tourism. Here, an existing two-story brick and concrete farmhouse has been transformed into a contemporary building that meets modern aesthetic demands. The design aims to inject new vitality into both the structure and its surrounding site.
Design Concept
This project focuses on renovating the original two-story brick and concrete residential building. Due to structural constraints, major modifications to the existing building were limited. Additionally, the project required a large outdoor activity space. Therefore, the design emphasizes expanding the building’s boundaries thoughtfully, rather than altering the original structure extensively. This approach facilitates the creation of a new architectural order and a revitalized sense of place through spatial expansion.
Architectural Design
The original two-story building’s space was reorganized according to its functional requirements. The existing layout was divided into dining, entertainment, and accommodation zones, with minor adjustments to doors and windows to better fit these functions. On the exterior, 3m x 3m steel frame units were introduced to create a layered framework grid. By combining and stacking these steel modules, the site’s footprint was expanded to include the original building within a cohesive new composition.
This steel framework not only disrupts the monotony and isolation of the original building’s appearance but also extends its spatial reach and redefines the structural order of the entire project.
Reconstructing Architectural Order
Architecture originates from order—an inherent logical composition that often remains unseen on a building’s exterior, residing instead in the design and construction process. Traditional Chinese architecture exemplifies this through its beam-column systems and intricate wooden structures. Our design seeks to express this internal architectural order openly and use it as a defining element of the building’s form.
We developed a new architectural order for a building that previously lacked a logical structure by employing modular 3m x 3m x 3m steel frame units. This reconstruction integrates the new and original buildings while making the internal order visible on the exterior. This approach not only unifies the existing and new structures but also offers a fresh perspective for renovation design.
Site Revitalization
Architecture is not only about physical space but also about expressing humanistic values. The creation of architectural spaces is central to spatial experience and essential for human interaction within the building. This project reconstructs the architectural order through modular steel components and simultaneously revitalizes the original site.
The steel structure creates an intermediate architectural space between the interior and exterior, adding depth and layering to the spatial experience. This dynamic interaction between the new steel units and the existing building enhances the sense of place and generates a distinctive architectural spirit.
Conclusion
Without relying on complex shapes, colors, or materials, this design redefines the building’s order and place through simple modular composition. Iwakawa Architecture aims to inspire a deeper appreciation for the essence and power of architectural order through this thoughtful reflection and design approach.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Front View
△ Side Elevation View
△ Exploded Diagram
Project Details
Project Name: Moonlight Club in the City
Designer: Iwakawa Architecture
Design Period: February 2020 – June 2021
Construction Date: June 2022
Lead Architect: Sun Yan
Team Members: Sun Yan, Zhang Zhe, Zhang Li, Monina
Collaborating Institution: Department of Architecture, Chengdu University of Technology
Project Location: Longquanyi, Chengdu, China
Building Area: 420 square meters
Photography Credit: Existence of Architecture
WeChat Official Account: Yanchuan Construction
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