Folding Garden Community Center

Folding Garden Community Center is an innovative architectural masterpiece that exemplifies the harmonious fusion of traditional Chinese garden design principles with contemporary structural innovation. Located in Beijing, this single-story community center, completed in 2018, spans a total construction area of 1,403 square meters within a 6,421-square-meter plot, achieving a thoughtful floor area ratio of 0.22. The structure's defining feature is its continuous, serpentine wall that weaves across the site, creating a sophisticated interplay between interior and exterior spaces. This architectural element serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, eliminating the need for internal columns while crafting a seamless flow between three distinct courtyard spaces. The building's design philosophy draws inspiration from traditional royal Chinese construction, reimagining these classical elements through a modern lens. The structure is distinguished by its flowing brick facade that creates an illusion of a mountain emerging from a forest, with carefully considered light sequences that transform throughout the day, creating dynamic interactions between sunlight, architecture, and landscape. Standing at 5.5 meters in height, the center incorporates a sunken courtyard design that maximizes space utilization while maintaining an intimate connection with its surroundings. The project, which garnered a Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category, demonstrates exceptional achievement in sustainable design principles, combining low-carbon construction methods with innovative space utilization. The design's all in one go approach, reminiscent of traditional Chinese painting philosophy, creates a unified spatial experience where interior and exterior boundaries blur, offering visitors multiple perspectives of the same garden from different vantage points.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: community architecture, sustainable design, Chinese garden integration, innovative structural engineering, public space development, cultural architecture

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/133498

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