Greenland Epoch Gate, Yiwu
Project/background:
For Yiwu folks, the old Epoch Gate is of extraordinary significance, as it symbolizes majesty and auspice. Built on the Jinshanling in the 34th year of the reign of the Ming Emperor Jiajing, the ancient gate is called “Lishi (Good Fortune)” Gate among locals. People who are going to get married often go around the gate to seek good luck. Therefore, the gate is not only the spiritual sustenance for Yiwu people, but also the witness of urban changes. With economic development and urban re-development, people have gradually lost their urban memory of this symbolic place. It is in this context that the project of Greenland Epoch Gate has been initiated. The project director and designers embrace great efforts and confidence to rebuild the gate when faced with fading urban spirit.
Features:
This “simple” building perfectly combines modern and classical elements as well as private and public features. The narrow and long space faces the private part of houses while retaining public feature of aligning with commercial axis. The southern part and northern part mix deconstruction and isomorphic features by different spatial organization means, and geometrical forms are used to expand the connotation of classical architecture and make it truly fit with cities and modern spirits. In this way, architectural complexity has been blended into urban fabric and become part of people and streets.
Spatial analysis:
An overhead courtyard is built from an original block, and the two-storey courtyard offers adequate landscape space
The 9-meter-tall arc-roofed exhibition hall adds inherent poetic beauty to interior space
The pass length of the exhibition area and the floor-to-ceiling skylight bring awesome light to indoor space.
Main materials:
Light blue glass, light white aluminum parts and roofing, tinted stone, dark aluminum strips.
Based on a careful beneficiation, mildly warm and elegant Portuguese beige sandstone (each piece 1800*900mm) is chosen, and they are arranged by 2cm (opening) + 5mm (interweaving) to form an orderly yet attractive combination (3600*900). Metal buckles are installed on the wall along with a few human-sized parts like metal strings, perforated metal floor sheet, metal pendants to bring visual closeness between buildings and people.
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