Revolutionary Design: The Game by Jimmy Yung

Award-Winning Tourist Center Fuses Tradition and Innovation

The Game is inspired by the multifaceted symbolism of bamboo. Bamboo, a significant local forestry resource, is often used in building houses and daily products. It also represents the story of "Zhu De’s carrying pole" from 1928, a well-known tale from the period of "carrying for food". Furthermore, bamboo culture, emphasizing the spirit of humbleness and determination, has a strong influence on the aesthetics in the Orient.

What sets The Game apart from other designs is its unique business model. Unlike common souvenir shops at most tourist sites, this design incorporates the functions of exhibitions, tourist information, cultural and creative products sell, catering, DIY experience, and training courses. This innovative approach caters to the large number of visitors and Communist Party of China members who gather in the area for training each year.

The design of The Game is a testament to the creative use of local resources and traditional craftsmanship. The Bracket Complexes, a traditional structure of oriental architecture, is usually made of wood. However, in this design, wood is replaced with bamboo, a green building material abundant in the area. The process of constructing The Game involved extensive collaboration with local masters, from cutting and boiling bamboo to weaving it into the structure.

The Game covers an area of 1800 m2 and comprises three floors. The first floor serves as the Tourist Center, the second floor houses a restaurant, and the third floor is a Training Centre. The design was conceived in Taipei and constructed from March to October 2017 at Jinggang Mountains in China.

One of the challenges faced during the construction of The Game was the cultural and language gap between the design team and the local craftsmen. However, through persistent face-to-face communication and the transformation of each step into a process that aligns with local habits, the team successfully replaced the paper design with a 1:1 mockup model.

The Game is more than just a tourist center; it is a testament to the power of innovative design and traditional craftsmanship. It is a space where visitors can learn and experience the rich culture and history of the Jinggang Mountains while enjoying modern amenities. This unique blend of tradition and innovation is what earned The Game the prestigious Silver A' Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design Award in 2019.