Tag: dali | ArchDaily

Weishan Chongzheng Academy Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde / TAO (Trace Architecture Office)

Pilar Caballero — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background
Weishan Chongzheng Academy Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde is located in the west corner of Weishan Ancient Town in Dali, Yunnan. Weishan is the birthplace of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom, and has a history of over 600 years. It still preserves the urban layout of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Chongzheng Academy was built during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty with a history of more than 500 years, and has gone through several twists and turns. In 2021, TAO was invited by the local government and Librairie Avant-Garde to repair and renovate Chongzheng Academy, transforming it into a bookstore with comprehensive functions including bookstore, exhibition, small theatre, coffee, etc. and hoping to awaken the former prosperity and vitality of the place. The design task also includes the urban design of the surrounding area. By inviting new programs, the design aims to create a new lifestyle destination that encourages everyday public participation throughout the year, bringing a positive effect to the regeneration of the old town.

Underdream Hygge Lodge / ArCONNECT Architects

Andreas Luco — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

1. Two Temperaments and Two Scales of the Site — The site is an independent old farm located outside a village at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. It is a long, narrow plot oriented east–west, with relatively shallow depth from north to south. To the north lies Shuangyuan Stream, one of the eighteen streams descending from Cangshan. The site is embraced by dense woodland, accompanied by the constant sound of flowing water, creating a secluded and tranquil mountain-forest atmosphere. To the south, the land opens dramatically toward vast farmland, where the nineteen peaks of Cangshan undulate across the horizon in full view, evoking an expansive pastoral scene reminiscent of the poetic line, "Plucking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely glimpse the southern mountains." The site thus possesses two distinct temperaments: mountain forest and pastoral landscape.

Dali Transformer Factory Theatrical District / Atelier Alter Architects

Valeria Silva — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sited at the West-south of Erhai Lake, at the edge of the ancient citadel of Dali, an abandon transformer factory is transformed into a theatrical park. The original workshop, storage and office are turned into theater, new media art, and multi-sensual caterings. The main performance venue is the Transformer Theatre that creates a trinity of architecture, interior and stage setting design.

No. 8 House in Dongnan Village / xiān Architects

韩爽 — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a young man shut down his start-up company Someet, a platform that has organized tens of thousands of self-initiated interest offline activities for young people. Then he decided to move from Beijing to Shaxi, hoping to live freely and settle down here through this building. This is a spring-like all year round Chinese ancient town, people have lived and thrived here for over a thousand years. The Bai people have lived here for generations. Here, anyone who can walk can dance and anyone who can speak can sing. All of he people often hold gatherings.

Sky Migratory Bird Observatory Residence / HAS design and research

Miwa Negoro — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Located in Dali, Yunnan Province in southwestern China, Erhai Lake is renowned for its ever-changing seasonal landscapes and the rich biodiversity nurtured by its expansive shoreline. Its exceptional ecological environment makes it an ideal stopover and feeding ground for migratory birds on their long annual journeys.

Phoenix Feather Tea Pavilion / Kong Xiangwei Studio

Andreas Luco — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

At the northernmost tip of Yunnan's Wuliang Mountains, Phoenix Mountain (Fenghuang Shan), with an elevation of 2,380 meters, plays amidst the clouds. It rests like a giant bird with folded wings in Bixi Township, Nanjian County, Dali. This area is not only a geological epic formed by the collision of the Hengduan and Ailao mountain ranges but also one of China's renowned migratory bird corridors. Every September, tens of thousands of birds spiral down along this ancient migratory route, turning the mythical vision of "a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix" into reality.

Mushroom library for Children in Yunnan / Kong Xiangwei Studio

Andreas Luco — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Multidimensional Context: A Hidden Homeland - Tucked into the folds of the Wuliang Mountains, Yanzitou Village—a secluded hamlet inhabited by six ethnic groups (Han, Yi, Bai, Dai, Li, and Hani)—faces the paradox of rural decline amidst its pristine landscape. With only 71 households, the village struggles with depopulation and aging residents as youth migrate for work. Yet, weekends brim with vitality as children return from town schools, filling the plaza near the village history museum with laughter. The book house, sited on a narrow rocky plot between two old dwellings and shaded by a sprawling raisin tree, acts as both a cultural gateway to the future community center and a beacon for rural rejuvenation.

The Linden Centre Shaxi Community Campus / Anderson Anderson Architecture + Atelier FUN

Paula Pintos — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The Linden Centre Shaxi Community Campus is nestled in a new national park in Shilong village, along a trail from the historic town of Shaxi in Yunnan, southwest China. It comprises community and cultural facilities, along with small visitor cabins for economic and cultural education purposes. The project is funded by the Development-Oriented Poverty Reduction Program for Rural China and managed by The Linden Centre.

Jiapeng Village Service Station / Zhaoyang Architects

Andreas Luco — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor in Dali aims to establish a healthy water-land buffer zone and ecological barrier, expanding the lake’s interactive interface for the residents and tourists.

Dali Erhai Lake Ecological Rest Station / line+ studio

Pilar Caballero — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The construction project of the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor in Dali aims to establish a healthy water-land buffer zone and ecological barrier. Along the 129-kilometer lakeside corridor, multiple service stations are planned, and the project is one of them. The site is located along the southwest edge of the Erhai Lake scenic corridor, near Xiaoyizhuang Village. In the face of the pristine surroundings of Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake, and the quaint villages, the design aims to intervene using a landscape architecture approach minimally. It responds to the relationship between the building and the land through "anchoring and suspension," engaging with the environment. Additionally, it addresses the relationship between locality and contemporary construction through "low-tech and low-carbon," fostering innovative experiences. Lastly, it responds to the relationship between public architecture and people through "openness and inclusivity," creating a platform for daily activities.

Ruins Cave Garden / ArCONNECT Architects

Andreas Luco — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:00:00 +0000

Mountain, Lake, and Ruins - The ancient villages in Dali, located on the west coast of Erhai Lake under Cangshan Mountain, offer a nurturing and pleasant living environment. Cangshan Mountain's nineteen peaks align in a north-south direction, with eighteen streams running from west to east, nourishing the fertile plains on the west side of Erhai Lake. Traditional houses in this area typically face east, taking advantage of the morning sun and protection from the southwest winds in winter. The inner courtyards further shield residents from harsh weather, creating a traditional and natural lifestyle deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. The studio, located in the southwest corner of a village at the base of Cangshan Mountain, was built to harmonize work and life with nature.

Dali Edge Architecture Studio Renovation / Edge Architects

Collin Chen — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 19:00:00 +0000

The studio is located in an old district in the urban area of Dali city. It was formerly a three-bedroom, two-hall residence on the first floor. The building is a brick-concrete structure. Since the original residence could not meet the daily needs of the studio, we reworked it. The main tasks of the studio renovation are: to improve the lighting and ventilation, adjust the layout and create a new space, with enough strangeness and a view.

Reconstruction of an Ancient House / PaM Design Office

Collin Chen — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 13:00:00 +0000

"West or East" is a restaurant offering fine dining for travelers, with traditional Yunnan cuisine and new dishes inspired by travelingsand history. It is located in No.25 Guangwu Road, Dali Ancient City.

No. 5 Service Station of the Ecological Corridor around Erhai Lake / 3andwich Design / He Wei Studio

Yu Xin Li — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 23:00:00 +0000

Background and site: cluster design and a low-lying land without seeing Erhai Lake. The construction of the ecological corridor around Erhai Lake is an important measure for the regional governance of the west of Erhai Lake. The elimination of illegal buildings within 150 meters along the blue line of Erhai Lake has formed an ecological corridor in the west of the sea, alleviated the relationship between man and nature, and also provided an opportunity for tourists to approach and enjoy Erhai Lake. In order to better serve the people of the ecological corridor, the local government invited 10 well-known domestic architects to design the cluster of 20 service stations along the ecological corridor. 3andwich Design/He Wei Studio is responsible for the design of No. 5 and No. 6 service stations.

Yangliping Performing Arts Center / Studio Zhu-Pei

Collin Chen — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Zhu Pei was invited by friends Yang Liping and Wang Yanwu to design their performing arts center in Dali. As a dance artist, Yang Liping has been enthusiastically caring for nature and culture here and devoted to discovering the local folk dance art in Yunnan. The Performing Arts Center is located on the northeast side outside the ancient city. Its east and south sides are farmland, streams, woods, and wetlands; the west and north sides are villages.

“Heart of Yongan” Community Center / TJAD

Yu Xin Li — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Located in Yunlong County of Yunnan Province, Yong'an Village is known for its sinuous mountain landscape, poor accessibility and is considered one of the poorest areas in China. Yong'an Village is seated on the ancient Tea Horse Road, which connects South Asia and Mainland China. Therefore it is the assembly ground of multiple minority ethnic groups including Han, Bai, Hui, and Yi. Since 2012, the volunteer team from Tongji University has been actively involved in organizing activities and coming up with solutions in the effort to improve the locals' knowledge, living space, and living quality. In fact, the volunteer team had built a small rural public building with the vision to reactivate Yong'an village in 2018. Due to its geographical location in a deep valley, the villagers value the significance of the openness of indoor and outdoor public spaces. From funeral to a wedding or even daily socializing spaces, the openness of space becomes the top priority to them. The altitude difference between the upper and lower Yong'an Village is around 300 meters, making the vertical travel distance unreachable. In fact, the villagers from the upper villages often suffer from inaccessibility to transportation, poverty and are living in straitened circumstances. The majority of them are homeless and have no space to interact with one another other than their working space. Therefore, building a community center for the upper village has become the main goal of this volunteer activity.

Baisha Old Town Retreat / Atelier GOM + Atelierba

Cristobal Rojas — Sun, 31 May 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Baisha Old town in Yunnan province is a small village part of Lijiang well known for its Jade Dragon Snow Mountain range. It is still the most legit old town in Lijiang. The typical wood and mud brick houses welcome the visitor to discover the ancient life of the village.

WangTao House / MARCH Design

舒岳康 - SHU Yuekang — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 21:00:00 +0000

It is a completely individualized process to build our own houses from the ground than to buy commercial houses. I believe that as the policy and law change, this kind of demand will continually increase. But for most architects and interior designer in China, highly designed personal house building is a missing project which has few chances to practice. So I decided to do it to myself and build my home in the desert from zero.