People's Diary Experience Center: A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Nature

Kefeng Sun's Award-Winning Design Merges Tradition with Innovation

At the intersection of past and present, the People's Diary Experience Center, designed by Kefeng Sun, redefines the concept of rural architecture. This multifunctional complex, which includes exhibition halls, classrooms, hotels, and more, is strategically positioned at the village's entrance, embracing both the stream in front and the hills behind. The design challenge was to accommodate a high plot ratio within an irregular 9280㎡ land area, resulting in a built area of 15,240 sqm. Sun's solution was to cut the building into slender strips, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the fragmented village texture and the mountainous backdrop.

The design draws inspiration from the traditional Chinese courtyard house, creating numerous courtyards between the elongated buildings to enrich the internal space. This layout not only fosters a connection with nature but also facilitates a dialogue between the building community and its surroundings. The sloping roofs atop each structure mimic the layering of mountains, further integrating the center into the landscape. The project's unique properties lie in its ability to maintain a high-density community while still resonating with the fragmented village texture and natural environment.

Realization of the People's Diary Experience Center was achieved through the careful placement of functional blocks within different elongated buildings, separated by inner courtyards. This design allows the natural environment to penetrate the community, with large spaces like the exhibition hall created by connecting two long buildings on a flat plane. The technical specifications boast a plot ratio of 1.64, a building coverage ratio of 48%, and a total floor space of 4460 sqm.

The center's interaction with users is a journey of discovery, with hidden and visible elements, ups and downs, and a variety of emotional experiences. Corridors, terraces, and gray spaces enable visitors to move fluidly between the building's interior and the courtyards. The design's strength lies in its rhythmic interweaving of 'courtyard houses,' which dissolves the accumulation of large volume functional redundancy and weaves a 'breathing' rhythm into the building's three-dimensional space.

The project's research foundation is deeply rooted in the history of Yahuang Village, the birthplace of the "People's Diary," a concept that has spread throughout the country. The design's narrative revolves around this theme, with the main function being the themed exhibition hall. The center also serves as a practical application of the "People's Diary" theory, providing a space for government personnel and tourists alike. The design challenges faced by Sun included the integration of large-scale buildings into the site's texture and the creation of a functional space that allows for full interaction with nature.

With the project's completion from February 2022 to June 2023, the People's Diary Experience Center stands as a beacon of design excellence. Its recognition with the Silver A' Design Award is a nod to Kefeng Sun's ability to harmonize architecture with nature and solidly integrate into authentic rural life. The award celebrates top-tier designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and this center certainly fits the bill with its remarkable level of excellence and its capacity to inspire awe and wonder.