WuliEpoch Culture Center: A New Definition of Housing in Contemporary Chinese Metropolis

Yingfan Zhang and Xiaojun Bu's Architectural Masterpiece Inspired by Faith and Ritual

WuliEpoch Culture Center, designed by Yingfan Zhang and Xiaojun Bu, is a unique architectural project that redefines the concept of housing in contemporary Chinese metropolis. Drawing inspiration from the religious ambiance of a house, the design incorporates a revolving circulation logic that connects the various programs together. The architecture allows visitors to experience the Western Hills in a new way, with the landscape evolving endlessly around the architecture, much like the cycle of life itself.

The design of the WuliEpoch Culture Center is unique due to its response to the triangulated geometry of the site. Layers of curved walls are stacked one on top of the other in a crisscrossing manner to create courtyards and intermediate spaces leading to the building. Some demarcations of space are horizontal walls suspended in the air. The materiality of the project is expressed through carefully proportioned masonry walls throughout the architecture and landscape, giving a uniform tone and creating a historic gravitas for the project.

The wall material of the space is consistent with the floor, and the transition between interior and exterior is smooth and subtle. Space flows from one area to the other, with the panorama of Western Hills serving as the backdrop for the public program. The project encompasses a 1500 square meter sales center and a 400 square meter community skating rink, in response to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The sales office includes a model exhibition area, sample rooms, seating areas, a bar and catering, a VIP lounge, and staff offices.

The design was realized using BIM (Building Information Modeling) way of thinking, which helped in building a quick response system within the team to conquer problems. Despite the challenges faced due to the narrowness of the site and the integral design process combining architecture and interior, the team was able to successfully complete the project. The project started in October 2016 in Beijing and was finished in November 2018.

The WuliEpoch Culture Center is located in Shijingshan, on the fringe of Beijing, near the amazing Western Hills. It serves as a sales office for low-rise residential developments at the foot of Western Hills. The project draws upon the heritage and inspirations of Western Hills, presenting a new definition for housing in contemporary Chinese metropolis. The design was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019, a testament to its outstanding and trendsetting creation that reflects the designer's prodigy and wisdom.

The design of the WuliEpoch Culture Center is not just an architectural masterpiece, but also a reflection of the designers' understanding of the role of faith and ritual in a house. It is a testament to their ability to draw upon these elements to create a space that is not only functional but also deeply meaningful. The WuliEpoch Culture Center is a shining example of how design can be used to redefine our understanding of space and its role in our lives.