X DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SITES IN XUANXI NORTH INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN COMPETITION
I
Introduction
Beijing
Introduction
Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world. The Xuanxi North project is located in central Beijing, within the second ring-road. Part of the Beijing Historic Character Harmonisation Area, Xuanxi North was a popular residence of writers, historians and scholars for more than 600 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It also includes the former residences of high-profile reformer Shen Jiaben and of the poet, calligrapher and intellectual activist Gong Zizhen. This place is a kind of storehouse of history and traditions, traces of the past, lost in the mists of time, crossing civilizations and cultures, united in peace and wise coexistence.
Forbidden city
ะก Context
L Location
Project Site in Xuanxi North
A Analysis of territory
Project Site in Xuanxi North
Analysis of territory
Project Site in Xuanxi North
Map of Beijing. 1912
H History of the site
For understanding the cultural value of the site, it is very important to have a look to the historical evolution of the city and region. The Xuanwumen Outer area in which the project is located is an important part of the historic “Xuannan� area where literati gathered and culture flourished. This literati culture area was first taken shape in the Ming dynasty and reached its peak during the Qing dynasty with a history spanning over 600 years.
It was the place where famous scholars gathered from all over China, and it played an important part in the advancement of learning during the Qing dynasty, and particularly in the blossoming of sinology. Within this area a great number of important sites and buildings have survived to the present.
History of the site
Map of Beijing. 1914
These include: Shangxie Street, where the footsteps of high scholars were once to be seen everywhere, along with Yang Jiaoshan Memorial Hall, Former Residence of Shen Jiaben, the Guildhalls of Taiyuan and Dongguan and the Former Residence of Gong Zizhen, who is an outstanding literary figure of the modern period.
History of the site
Map of Beijing. 1916
History of the site
Hutong
Main building Cortyard
Old pictures of Hutong
Typical scheme of Hutong block
I
Acrobatics
Wax printing
Beijing Opera
Shadow theater
Papper cutting
Beijing Opera Make-up
Beijing Opera / costume
Calligraphy
intangible heritage
Beijing Opera
A Analysis and studies
S Site in Xuanxi North
Project area
Site in Xuanxi North
Block â„–9
survey
Block #9
demolition
P potentional map
potentional map
potentional map
potentional map
G goals of project
Cortyard atmosphere
Origin
Ecological improvement
Accessibility
Cultural identity
Socio-economic revitalisation
Historical remains
Sharing ideas
Education and art exchange
P PROPOSAL
G general concept
Before focusing on some detail of this huge district, we decided that it would be important to propose general strategy from which we can move to one of this 10 situations. Regarding to existing surrounding we propose next approach for 10 neighborhoods:
1 - Traditional medicine workshop 2 - Abacus workshop 3 - Wax printing workshop 4 - Calligraphy/ Paper/ Arigami Workshops
5 - Kinder art-platform 6 - Teenager art-platform 7 - Gallery 8 - Museum 9 - Art - incubator 10 - Tea House
pedestrian path Intervention area Pedestrian street
concept
ART INCUBATOR LIFE - EDUCATION - PERFORMANCE Taking into account above all the cultural value of the place, there is the idea of creating an “art-incubator” of historical and traditional landscape of the city in the concept of architectural and planning solution. The result is a surprisingly natural movement from creating a scene of artists and designers and technologists to simply creating a place where they can work, a place where smart and powerful people gather in one building to create amazing things. The general idea that this artspace will be a sort of “educational&entertaining district”, where every citizen and tourist find their understanding of the historical and cultural identity. Proposed “art-incubator” becomes a mental intangible door to our past and a place of collective memory. All of these features will help in the development of the China self-identity. Reconstruction of scholars atmosphere - the basic principle of the block organization. Proposed ar-
chitectural strategy creates minimal impact on the architectural and visual perception of the place and fully integrates into the existing Beijing structure, takes advantage of accessibility from different part of the city, refers to the past architecture traditions. Concept of the district development is both high performance and low cost, as it works with existing local resources and improve the current situation. “Art incubator” is an intention to create a new, full of life center of culture, history, communication and exchange of ideas. The main leitmotif of the project proposal - an attempt to create an objects not as a physical buildings, but rather a new space of collective memory and identity, a meeting place for people and stories, the system of open spaces, where the spectacular environment integrates with the rich cultural activities. Relationship between “Art incubator” and local society is the main subject of this project it required significant studying the topic related to this specific field of architectural design and urban development. Another interesting point is that all talented people and craftsman’s
have the chance to demonstrate their skills, such as: a) Chinese opera: - singing - dancing - acrobatic - music - mime - masks - make-up b) Calligraphy c) Traditional Chinese painting d) Wax printing e) Paper cutting f) traditional food market The solution that we have made came from believes in potential of contemporary architecture has dialog and breathe new life into historically and culturally important places, to help communicate their significance and spread new awareness of their value. We think that balance between new life of site and historical meaning has found in our project without either degrading it.
D distribution diagram
C Cortyard system
(big cortyard)
(small cortyard)
G Green area
F Functional diagram
Shangxie Street
External revitalisation
Chukuying Hutong
E
I
Inner revitalisation
Z zoom -in
entrance
cortyard
open gallery
tea house
view
V
Proposal view on residence cortyard. Common area for meeting and sharing time and ideas.
view
Proposal view on dance hall. Training hall for acrobatic and dancing.
view
Proposal view on workshop room.
view
Proposal view on big cortyard. Perfomance area of Beijing Opera artists