"Pavilion"
- as a starting point
From
the urban and rural renewal in recent years to the global trend of design weeks
and biennials, "Pavilions" are often used as landmarks or containers.
This is in line with the effect of "Pavilions" in gathering the
public and their advantage in low cost. According to "Shiming·Shigongshi": 'Pavilion, for
stopping, for gathering'. The project aims to provide a place as a catalyst of
village renewal, and gradually transform the programmes and events within it
with the development of the village, from public service to ritual activities,
and finally, to accommodate public arts.
Local
Climate
The
geographical environment and climatic characteristics of the Lingnan region
have has a great impact on local traditional buildings. While the wet and hot
climate of Guangdong benefits the local tropical plants, it makes any space
with poor ventilation and sunlight exposure fairly uncomfortable. The project
takes advantage of this feature and represents the traditional integration of
Cantonese residential halls and patios, and the alternation of open and
semi-open spaces. Through greening, shading systems and natural ventilation, it
creates a pleasant microclimate.
In
Gangtou Village, such semi-outdoor spaces are usually taken by local residents
for public activities, such as the halls and patios of Shaowen Hall and Zeng
Wensun Ancestral Hall, which have become the place for the elderly to chat and
play cards, and the paradise for children to play.
New/Old;
Indoor/Outdoor; Artificial/Natural
The
design of the 'Pavilion +' retains the existing elements and features of the
site to the greatest extent, including the remnant walls, houses, and lush
vegetation.
The
interior and exterior of the pavilion transition from gravel to concrete by
pavement, and at the same time, it is blurred by the horizontal extension of the
upper roof and the natural spread of the vegetation underneath. Just as a major
feature of Lingnan gardens, the architecture and the garden become an
inseparable whole.
The
structure inserted is placed on the site with a minimal form and minimized
footprint to reduce the budget and reduce the impact of new structures on the
site. The existing structure is reused as the container of servant space. Corten steel plates are
selected as the main material of the pavilion, using modern materials to
distinguish the old and new structures. The colour and rough texture of Corten steel are close to its
context, while its maintenance requirement is low, and it is weather-resistant
and corrosion-resistant. As time goes by, the changes in materials and the
existing old brick walls on the site simultaneously reflect the timeliness of
the architecture. The pavilion is not only a gathering place for aboriginal
people and visitors but also a garden for artworks. The plain steel structure
and the preserved brick walls provide the best background for public art.
“Q-Village · Gangtou” International Young Designer Competition:
Honorable Mention
