Shanwei Galaxy International, in the subtle craftsmanship spirit, between soil and historic culture

Every city has its own unique symbol of culture, in the process of urban construction, Architectures integrated with these cultural deposits and regional characteristics. These cultural memories were recovered and became a new proposition of the times for more and more architects.

Shanwei is one of the four cities of Chaoshan, which contains a strong Chaoshan culture including Chaoshan dwellings, ancestral temples, Kungfu tea, etc. We try to find an approach with new technologies, materials, concepts which contain the essence of Chaoshan architectural and deduce Lingnan culture in the new ear with new architectural forms.

The project is located in Dongchong Town, Shanwei City, Guangdong Province. In the south of this project is Shanwei’s mother lake - Pingqing Lake. The project started with the concept of “Pingqing Return to the hell”and combined with the layout of Chaoshan traditional dwelling. It provides an experience of“Sima Trawl, three-step and six-fold courtyards. From the gate and entrance to the Sishui Guitang, the Buddhist Garden to the atrium and the negotiation area, you can feel the integration of culture and ritual order as well as the strong sense of ritual which was created by the site. The layout of “Four Rivers Return to the Hall” inherits the Chinese Neo-Confucianism thought of the unity between man and nature, and also constructs a spirit center for this project.

The facade of the building adopts color between natural wood and medium gray. The chosen material and its function are closely combined and these glasses create a transparent open space. Beyond that, metal grille and silver gray stone create an enclosed solid space. The “dragon scale” curtain wall on this project’s facade, was inspired by the“kylin dance” in Shanwei customs and culture. These white dragon scale plates, copper grille and gray aluminum magnesium create a collision of modern and traditional.

We followed the local historical context, took the “sloping roof”of Chaoshan folk dwellings and built a flowing curved cornice. We also abandon the column and components of the traditional roofs but emphasize the concept of “simple”and “fine”. Meanwhile, the roof is designed with glass skylights and hollow grille which form the sense of “virtual” and “solid” in the changing lights and shadows.

Architecture is not only the realization of functions, but also the carrier of unban context. In the subtle craftsmanship spirit, in the continuation between soil and historic culture.