Shanshui Shijian is located in the southern part of Chenjia Town on Chongming Island, Shanghai. Positioned as a modern Chinese-style architecture, the project is seen as an exploration and attempt of integrating modern Chinese style and traditional landscape spirit.
Space strategy
The enclosure wall, plants and small garden ornaments are arranged based on the traditional Chinese garden design approaches of "dotted view" and "view borrowing", which separates the space without breaking its continuity and also creates twists and turns similar to those in traditional gardens. The courtyard presents a spatial impression of advancing in due order, with winding paths leading to a secluded and endless space.
Architectural shape
By inheriting the idea of breaking up the whole into parts in traditional architectural spaces, the design divides the multifunctional architecture into several scattered light volumes to form a courtyard-style architectural compound. The walled-in courtyard links all architectural volumes. Combined with large glass facades of th0se volumes, it makes the indoor and outdoor spaces an integrated whole. The traditional hip roof is divided into two parts to form double layers of eaves which are reinterpreted with modern techniques and materials.
Circulation
Visitors are led into the building through a narrow long bamboo passage after the main entrance, which creates an atmosphere of infinite depth and seclusion. Walking a few more steps, they will reach the display and negotiation area. The connection and combination of main and secondary units generate the spatial sequence of rising and falling in cadence.
Facade and materials
As the simple and elegant style guides the selection of materials and colors, the whole building displays a "cool" tone set by Chinese gray. The combination of dark metal and light white stone materials aims to show the imagery of dark tiles and white walls of traditional architectures in South China.
IAI Architectural Gold Award
Winners： Shanghai Tongyuan Architectural Design Co, Ltd.
China
