The hourglass design concept captures the essence of forgotten time. As the 2023 New Year approaches, the project uses quicksand to symbolize the passage of time and evoke cherished memories. Commissioned to design the 2023 New Year’s Eve building for Anaya, the design team introduced the “Hourglass at the Moment” concept.
Inspired by a nighttime stroll along Anaya beach—where moonlight dances on the shimmering ocean and soft sand cushions each step—the design captures the fusion of nature and time. This moment sparked the creative idea of recording time itself. To us, the warmest memories are those shared with loved ones. We imagined that an ordinary, accessible moment could, upon reflection years later, touch the softest, most heartfelt part of our souls.
The building’s main structure incorporates an hourglass-shaped membrane, cable systems, and steel framework. Our goal is to engage with sand in the most delicate and refined way possible. Emphasizing natural materials and ecological responsibility, the exterior enclosure uses pure natural river ice sourced directly from the environment. As temperatures rise, the ice gradually melts under the sun, returning the sand to the beach. The membrane structure inside the building is designed to be disassembled and preserved as an exhibit, with the inscriptions on the membrane kept as unique mementos of 2023.
The material choices and structural details, especially the cable membrane design, were developed in collaboration with the structural team behind the Qatar World Cup stadium. Additionally, a professional ice sculpting team from Harbin Ice and Snow World crafted the exterior ice enclosure.
The hourglass’s conical shape and surrounding circular walls resemble the spoke-type self-anchoring structures recently designed by Beijing Jianyuan’s structural team. This spoke-type self-anchoring system anchors all cable forces into a surrounding ring beam, similar to the self-balancing principle of a bicycle wheel. Following this concept, the hourglass features a scaled-down cable membrane system inspired by Lusail Stadium.
At its core, a compressed support rod holds up the roof and presses against the cable membrane at the lower ends of the spokes. In the lower half, eight cables and the membrane surface together support the sand within the hourglass. The membrane uses PTFE mesh coating, balancing strength with transparency. The upper part of the spokes forms the roof, made transparent with ETFE film—the same material used for the iconic “Water Cube.”
To engage visitors in the theme of time and disappearance, we created the “Time Funnel”—a small funnel designed to pour sand into the hourglass. This fan-shaped promotional item unfolds into a bucket shape that can hold sand or stand on a desk as a calendar, symbolizing the passage of time.
Residents and tourists could obtain a “Time Funnel” by participating in Christmas events or at the building’s entrance. Using these funnels, people collected sand from the beach and poured it through circular openings atop the hourglass, patiently awaiting midnight on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve Ceremony: As the hourglass is set, the New Year arrives, and with the moonlight, dreams begin. When the clock strikes midnight, participants pull ribbons together to open the hourglass, releasing sand that cascades down instantly—symbolizing golden time and marking the new year’s arrival.
Everyone is invited to write their hopes and wishes for the future on the membrane, collectively creating a canvas of beautiful dreams. As the sand falls, the new year begins, and with the moonlight, dreams ignite.
The building’s natural components embody the cycle of time and disappearance. Ice bricks sparkle as they reflect sunlight, casting vivid rainbow hues inside. Sand falls freely like time itself—irretrievable and ever-flowing. As the weather warms, the quicksand returns to the beach, the ice melts back into the ocean, and only the membrane remains—a lasting record of Anaya’s New Year 2023 memories and the sincere hopes held in everyone’s hearts.
Unexpected Interaction: During the sand collection before New Year’s Eve, we were delighted to overhear visitors sharing their wishes with each other as they poured sand into the hourglass—an unanticipated joy for the design team.
The building not only serves as a ceremonial centerpiece for New Year’s but also embodies the boundless hopes people have for the year ahead. The cold winter night seemed to warm through these heartfelt moments—perhaps the happiest experience for the architects.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ Layout plan
△ Node diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Structural schematic diagram
△ Analysis chart
△ Analysis chart
Project Information
Architect: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and Research
Area: 30 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Anaya | Tree Studio, Architecture – Architectural Photography
Manufacturer: Zhejiang Danfusi Membrane Technology Co., Ltd
Principal Architect: Yang Xiyan
Design Team: Yang Xiyan, Chen Jingyan, Li Guanjia
Design Guidance: Fu Yizhi, Populus euphratica, Ma Long
Structural Design: Chen Yi
Flood Lighting: Ma Xiuhong, Zhao Yining
Economics Major: Wang Fan
Electrical Major: Li Shuang
Construction Party: Beijing Shishang Cultural Communication Co., Ltd
Planner: Architect Season of ‘Heartwarming Offer’
Special Thanks: Gai Ling, Sun Biao, Dong Gong, Zhang Han, Feng Chaoying, Chen Guoen, Lin Pengxiang, Long Zhiyu, Li Chaofan, Luo Guifu, Ma Qirui, Li Jinyi
Client: Anaya International Cultural Development Co., Ltd
Location: Qinhuangdao
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