Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Lighting
front elevation. Image © Yuchen Chao

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Shelving, Windows, Stairs, Facade, Chair, HandrailHanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - HandrailHanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - WindowsHanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Image 5 of 38Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - More Images+ 33

  • Soft Outfit Design: HWCD
  • Soft Outfit Design Team: John Villar, Lingtao Zeng, Yingying You
  • Client: Sino-Ocean Group
  • Interior Design Team: Nic Lee, Arthur Ho, Zhuwei Ge
  • City: Wuhan Shi
  • Country: China
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Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Windows, Facade
exterior. Image © Yuchen Chao

Text description provided by the architects. Each city is given unique character by its history. Unfortunately in China most cities are losing their features after reconstruction and taking on almost the same image. It is imperative for urban real estate developers to retain cultural heritage of the city through balanced and appropriate design solutions. 

Conceptual Model

Old and new co-existing under curve-shaped roof
Situated at the intersection of Yangtze River and Han River, Hanyang district of Wuhan is endowed with dynamic beauty of water. The adjacent Guiyuan Temple, a treasure for Buddhist since Qing Dynasty, renders tranquilness and solemnity in the community.

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Facade
night view of exterior. Image © Yuchen Chao

Through drawing inspirations from the local culture and the Buddhist architecture, Waterfrom Design created a “sloping rooftop” for the new building, which seems to fly above the land and well integrate with the local context. 

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Facade, Steel
details of slope roof. Image © Yuchen Chao

Poetically framed in a landscape painting
Black and gray steel bars form the spine of the rooftop, stretching and undulating like  rolling mountains. Combined with the wide pool on the ground, a visual image of landscape painting is in sight.

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Windows
exhibition gallery. Image © Yuchen Chao

Transparent glass curtain wall interacts with reflections of clouds and lights in the water, creating a fascinating view and bringing spiritual peace of “A breeze produces no ripples”.

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Handrail
partial view of aisle. Image © Yuchen Chao
Section
Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Handrail
partial view of aisle. Image © Yuchen Chao

Extending space rhythm along the curved lines
The curves of the facade are also utilized in the spatial arrangement. Take the design at the entrance for example. Its curved circulation line borrows the form of Moon Lake, a famous local scenic spot. The slope is gradually lowered, creating a ceremonial sense for people, and leaving disturbing noises outside.

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Shelving, Windows, Stairs, Facade, Chair, Handrail
partial view for 1.2 floor. Image © Yuchen Chao
Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Stairs, Handrail
aisle of 2 floor. Image © Yuchen Chao

Besides, in the large-scale open space, the curved ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows outline a natural frame. In VIP area, the two curved 3D walls look like sculptures, enriching the space with artistic beauty. 

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Handrail
b1 aisle. Image © Yuchen Chao

Capturing familiar experience in daily life
The partition wall wholly pied up by tea bricks records the past glory of tea trading in old Hanyang City during Northern Song Dynasty. The tea utensils made from local pottery are simple and rough, showing Hanyang people’s habit of drinking tea up to now. The flavor of tea remind us to cherish the common experience in our everyday life.    

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Image 5 of 38
b1 aisle B1. Image © Yuchen Chao

The new building exists as a landmark that blends into the urban fabric. Combining deconstruction skill with oriental imagery, Waterfrom Design achieved a balance between historical community protection and commercial real estate development.

Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design - Windows, Facade
exterior. Image © Yuchen Chao

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Project location

Address:20 Guiyuansi Rd, Hanyang Qu, Wuhan Shi, Hubei Sheng, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Hanyang Guiyuan Temple Sales Center / Waterfrom Design" 21 Sep 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/901777/hanyang-guiyuan-temple-sales-center-waterfront-design> ISSN 0719-8884

front elevation. Image © Yuchen Chao

汉阳归元寺售楼处设计 / 水相设计

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