Summary:
Dapi Mountain Pavilion is located on the north cliff of Dapi Mountain, east of Xun County, Henan Province. The building is nestled among the mountain rocks, intertwining with the landscape, appearing as if it grew out of the mountain itself. The main structure is a combination of steel and wood, with traditional materials such as rammed earth, rough stones, wickerwork, and slate tiles used to create the overall spatial layout.
During the design process, various stakeholders including the local government, villagers, and architects participated, offering diverse functional requirements for the building. Local craftsmen were employed for construction, maximizing the use of social resources. Once completed, the inn not only serves tourists but also becomes an integral part of the historical and cultural environment of Dapi Mountain, serving as a carrier for intangible cultural heritage, promoting cultural heritage and spirit.
Materials:
Due to transportation difficulties in the mountainous area, the inn extensively utilizes locally sourced rough stones, which are reclaimed from the site and polished by workers to build new retaining walls. All construction materials are designed to be transportable and manageable by hand due to transportation constraints. Natural materials harmonious with the surrounding environment were chosen to reduce carbon emissions and respect the natural atmosphere.
The existing vegetation on the site was preserved as much as possible to protect the relatively fragile ecology of the rocky mountain. Additionally, some new plants were transplanted from nearby areas to the site to ensure survival rates and reduce transportation costs.
Construction:
The main structure of the building adopts a steel-wood hybrid structure. Steel columns are more feasible for accommodating the irregular building plan and profile changes. The contrast between steel and wood materials contributes to the lightweight and elegant appearance of the building. The main load-bearing structure is constructed with steel, while the roof portion utilizes wood structure, balancing strength with a gentle aesthetic.
The mountain terrain is composed of granite with uneven heights, requiring different depths for each column foundation based on the rock layers. Structural foundation drawings were modified three times during the design phases based on surveying, geological survey, and on-site GPS data, optimizing the depth of each column.
Intangible Cultural Heritage:
Since the project is constructed by local craftsmen, the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage permeates every aspect of the project: meticulous stone craftsmanship, precise cutting and stacking of rough stone retaining walls, and installation and production of solid wood doors and windows are all carried out by local artisans, foregoing the precision and delicacy of mass production in factories in favor of the delicacy and variation of handcrafted work.
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