HDD builds Mulan Weichang Visitor Center with Daniel Wu in ‘Pretty House’-HuaDu Architecture & Urban Design Co., Ltd

HDD builds Mulan Weichang Visitor Center with Daniel Wu in ‘Pretty House’

2018/01/21 Author: HDD

The world of wildlife

This is the world of grass, animal and god. The imagination and curiosity of human beings towards grasslands is always fresh. The aboriginal people have their inner mind towards respecting nature, which is very important value towards contempory society. The mixture of different culture creates great lands for all kinds of art.

architectural feature

Architecture: the vector of culture

The yurt is the one of the earliest architecture prototype in the human history. The round shape of yurt creates incredible harmony relationship between nature and people. Meanwhile , the double circle stands for luckiness. The combination of different culture creates such a unique architecture. Meanwhile, the shape of the roof has the same design language with tranditional chinese architecture. The mixture of culture also represents the mixture situation in Weichang- the only Man-Meng self governor town in China.

the evolution of traditional yurt

architectural feature

Symbolism: Trandition and modern

The relationship between architecture and symbolism is so overwhelmed along the human history. The most difficult part of the project is to create eternal relationship between grassland and the building. Many elements are taken from the traditional yurt building, for example: the pattern and the facade.

design concept

Two big circles create the main living room, extending the traditional yurt layout. While the extended boxes become the semi-public space. This kind of layout makes the yurt fit the modern life style.

design concept

In terms of facade designing, by creating wooden frames in different thickness, the flower shaped roof could be made. The interior space is derived from the traditional yurt interior by using framing in different direction.

design concept

Genius Loci

The architecture always has great relationship with its location. The old Roman people call it Genius Loci. In this particular project, the genius loci could easily overcome any living appearance. Mulan weichang is located in the north east of Hebei province, connect to inner Mongolia grassland, which is one of the most beautiful landscape on the earth. The ancient chinese emperors used to hold autumn hunting festival through the history. All beings on the grassland have equal rights according the people here. Our main goal is to blend the building into this vast nature seamlessly. 3 different ways are create in order to achieve the goal. The first is to be inspired by local architecuture. The second is to use local material including old stone, used wooden beam and ratten. Together with surrounding micro landscape, the building could fit into the vast nature.

blend into the nature

From outside to inside
The main core of the building is the double circled lobby, also served as an local library. The second floor provides the area for kids. The design concept of the main loby is based on the yurt interior. In the future, it will also be the central library for the region. Local children could come here to read and play. By using the sunken living space, the lobby creates an intimitive space for people. The extended windows become the main framing towards vast landscape. People could have different views towards mountain, river, grassland and sheep. The open kitchen area creates a shared space for inviting all guests to cook together.

the internal spatial structure

the central library for the region

the open kitchen

the dining room

the bedroom

Construction

The main structure of the building is steel framing, combining with triple layered low-e glass pannel. The outside wooden frames become the shading system for the building. The connection of the wooden frame follow the tectonic principle. All the stone and wood come from the local area for the sustainable development. The construction method with prefabricated pieces could make sustainable development on the grassland.

structure analysis

local materials

Micro Landscape

Surround the building is the area of micro landscape, creating dynamic experience for vistors. The glass roof of Stargazing hut floats on the top of the grass. This particular small pavilion provide great experience for astronomy enthusiast.

the environment

This building become The Catcher in the Rye for this region. We hope different people with different faith could come here to play together, sharing different ideas to forge into a strong group.