Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center: A Cliffside Architectural Marvel

Qun Wen's Design Melds Culture and Architecture on a Cliff

Perched on the precipice of innovation and environmental sensitivity, the Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center stands as a testament to Qun Wen's architectural prowess. The center, located in Wanzhou, Chongqing, is a cultural beacon that seamlessly integrates with the cliffside it occupies. The design draws inspiration from the mountainous terrain, ensuring visibility and accessibility without compromising the natural landscape. This approach has yielded a structure that not only respects its surroundings but also enhances the panoramic vistas of the Yangtze River.

The Sales Center's unique properties lie in its strategic placement and construction challenges. The project spans approximately 3,000 square meters, including a landscape elevator that bridges a 30-meter vertical cliff height, an experience hall, and a view tower designed for river gazing. The design team, led by Qun Wen, has crafted discrete glass volumes for various functions, supported by stone pillars and a polyline-shaped roof. This creates a rich interplay of light and space beneath the sheltering roof, offering visitors a multi-layered experience of architecture and nature.

Technologically, the Sales Center is a marvel of modern engineering. The main structure features a glass polyhedron design, with the columns distinctly separated from the glass volumes. The roof, supported by stone pillars, not only provides protection but also contributes to the building's aesthetic appeal. The design's realization required meticulous planning and execution, ensuring that the building's presence is felt without dominating the landscape.

The Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center is not just an architectural feat; it's an interactive experience. The addition of a view tower allows visitors to step beyond the cliff's edge, offering an expansive view of Wanzhou's urban landscape. The design employs framing techniques reminiscent of traditional garden design, creating varied viewing experiences and drawing visitors into a dialogue with the environment.

Completed in 2021, the Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center is a product of extensive research and creative problem-solving. The design team faced the challenge of making the landscape elevator—a prominent feature due to its volume—blend with the environment. The solution was a polyhedral form that resembles a stone pillar, integrating the elevator into the cliffside while providing a striking entrance and viewpoint.

Qun Wen's design philosophy shines through in the Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center, where the building becomes an extension of the mountain itself. The project is a celebration of Chongqing's hilly topography, offering a space that is both a destination and a journey. The design team's efforts have been recognized with a Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a fitting accolade for a project that pushes the boundaries of culture, architecture, and environmental design.

Photography credits for the Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center go to Ligang Huang, who has captured the essence of Qun Wen's vision in a series of compelling images. These photographs showcase the center's integration with the landscape and its role as a cultural and architectural landmark. The Wenzhou Yongjiang Sales Center is more than just a building; it's a bridge between humanity and the natural world, a place where design and environment coexist in harmony.