Local design, architectural thinking rooted in the fertile soil of the region

As a local architect born and bred in China, and also an architect who grew up in the wave of reform and opening up, Cui Kai has experienced various trends in Chinese architectural design concepts. During his decades of design career, he has condensed his design concept into the four characters of "local design", which has influenced the thinking and creation of generations of architects.

"The connotation of the concept of local design or soil-based design is far greater than the concept of "tradition" and "nation". The elements are both humanistic, natural, and historical. It also includes contemporary ones, as long as the elements that can affect the environment in which the building is located are included.

The local design is to find ideas from these many elements, and express them ingeniously with contemporary design language, so as to become architectural works with local characteristics.

We have been insisting on adopting this strategy in different projects, extracting characteristic elements from the environment of the project as an entry point, and then selecting appropriate architectural vocabulary to express, and also researching how to effectively control the technology of structures and equipment System, trying to make the shape of the building space match the requirements of the building function, and finally grasp the overall coordination between the interior design and landscape design and the building.

Avoid exaggerated vocabulary and functions of architecture that are at odds with functions, avoid incongruity between architectural design and other professional designs, avoid purely decorative techniques that are superficial, and avoid face projects that are made up of two layers of skin inside and outside. "

—— Cui Kai

 

Cui Kai, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, based on the local area, strives to explore the road of architectural design creation with Chinese local characteristics

architect

  member of China Engineering Academy

China Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd.

Honorary Dean, Chief Architect

In 1984, he graduated from the Architecture Department of Tianjin University with a master's degree. From June 1999 to June 2008, he was elected as the vice director of the International Union of Architects (UIA). In 2000, he was selected as a national engineering survey and design master. In 2011, he was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (Department of Civil, Hydraulic and Architectural Engineering). Since 2014, he has been the founder and chief architect of the Local Design Research Center of China Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. From January 2003 to December 2011, he served as the vice chairman of the Architectural Society of China. In December 2013, double-appointed professor of Tsinghua University, professor of Tianjin University, professor of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, deputy director of the Academic Committee of the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture of Peking University.

Academician Cui Kai follows the policy of "applicability, economy, and beauty", draws lessons from international architectural trends, and at the same time attaches importance to the inheritance and innovation of regional culture, puts forward the design concept of "based on the local", and strives to explore the path of architectural design creation with Chinese local characteristics. road.

Representative works of Academician Cui Kai

01 China Pavilion of Beijing Expo

　　Beijing Expo China Pavilion

 

The China Pavilion of the Beijing Expo is located in Yanqing, Beijing, in a severe cold area. As a demonstration project during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, Academician Cui Kai led a team to conduct a large number of tests and researches on the climate suitability of the building.

 

　China Pavilion Exterior and Landscape Pool

 

The design has made sufficient considerations for light, wind, water and heat. Sitting north and facing south to receive sunlight, it creates a pleasant environment and provides sufficient lighting for plants; the exterior of the building achieves shelter from the wind in cold seasons, and can make full use of drafts in summer; rainwater collection creates a sponge function, and cooperates with the internal ventilation system to regulate temperature; winter The insulation problem is solved by covering the soil, and at the same time, the underground space and equipment are used to deal with underground heat and tunnel wind.

 

Light Treatment for Building Climate Suitability

 

Wind Treatment for Building Climate Suitability

 

Water Treatment for Building Climate Suitability

 

Heat Treatment for Building Climatic Suitability

 

The roof truss system integrates many design methods and technologies to realize the adjustment of indoor climate and the utilization of solar energy. Here, the new technical concept is ingeniously combined with Chinese cultural imagery, rather than just shaping the visual form.

Under the logic of green architecture, the China Pavilion of the Beijing Expo has formed a building with traditional Chinese forms.

 

The roof truss system integrates new technology and traditional image of Chinese architecture

 

02 The main venue of Nanjing Jiangsu Garden Expo

 

Nanjing Jiangsu Garden Expo Main Venue

 

The main venue of Nanjing Jiangsu Garden Expo used to be a cement factory, which represents the industrial history of taking nature for construction. And when the factory area was depressed, the plants returned to this space. This inspired Academician Cui Kai to combine industrial heritage and plant exhibitions.

 

Layout of Historical Buildings in Nanjing Jiangsu Garden Expo

 

According to the protection requirements of the government, the factory buildings were classified, some less important buildings were demolished, and some new functions were added, including exhibition halls, office areas, dining areas and hotels.

The design of the main venue abandons the traditional thinking and abandons the large closed building with high energy consumption, replacing it with a covered outdoor space, which is more flexible and suitable, and brings many possibilities.

 

Covered outdoor space becomes a more comfortable event space

 

Using the space where the original storage shed was located, an office area was built with a light structure and a green roof, trying to explore the future open office scene from the perspective of green buildings.

 

green office space

 

The characteristic silo space is structurally reinforced and trees are planted on the roof to create a green platform. The bookstore and many other functional spaces are designed inside to form the value of Internet celebrities.

 

Unique silo renovation and interior functions

 

A lightweight steel cable structure is built on the outside of the pavilion building, hoping that flowers and plants can grow gradually on the facade. Integrating nature, emphasizing the affinity of architecture, rather than emphasizing the sense of weight.

The boutique hotel combined with the environment and subtly hides the volume. The interior is centered on the landscape, using lightweight structures to create a transparent and delicate space.

 

Lightweight architectural expression

 

03 Nanjing Jiangsu Garden Expo Future Garden

 

General plan of future garden

 

There is a huge mine pit next to the Garden Expo site that needs to be dealt with urgently. The mine pit is extremely dry and hot in summer, and the construction period is very short. So academician Cui Kai conceived a landscape plan of artificial fog, creating a poetic and picturesque atmosphere of hazy mountains.

Of course, the retention time of artificial fog may be very limited. So a series of design elements were added to make up for the shortcomings of this scheme, including botanical gardens, cliff theaters and hotels.

　　

Bird's-eye view of Future Garden

 

For botanical gardens, simple planting lacks experience, and building greenhouse buildings consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, the undulating height difference of the mine pit is used to plant trees under the pool. Shallow water is collected on the light-transmitting acrylic trellis, giving people the experience of the forest under the waves. At the same time, the evaporation of water also cools down the entire space, which is suitable for the summer climate in Nanjing.

　　

The reflection of the botanical garden and the structure of the pool

 

In this project, through landscape restoration, the indifferent and silent mine pit is transformed into a vibrant space that people love, and a unique spatial experience is provided.

 

Cliff Theater and Cliff Hotel

 

04 Chengdu Xinjin Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park

 

Facade of Chengdu Xinjin Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park

 

This project is also a prefabricated construction practice. As an agricultural exhibition, the project adopts the structure of agricultural greenhouses instead of traditional closed buildings. So as to better connect with the surrounding natural scenery. At the same time, the rest and link spaces such as tea breaks and halls are set as open spaces without air-conditioning areas, and combined with the reduced energy consumption spaces such as conference rooms, to achieve overall low energy consumption.

 

A bird's-eye view of Chengdu Xinjin Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park

 

The design adopts a wooden structure, which as a carbon sink material has positive carbon sequestration benefits. In response to the fire protection requirements of wooden structures, the scheme tried ETFE membranes to match the large span, and at the same time, it can automatically melt after encountering a fire to form an open structure.

 

Application of ETFE material in ceiling

 

The return to wooden structure is not a nostalgia for traditional Chinese architecture, but to create a new living space with organic materials.

The project emphasizes "never ending", and its added conference, office, sports, and museum functions make it the basis for continuous use by people in the future. Commercial streets with catering facilities can also be combined with agricultural product trade exhibitions to become a good place for people to do weekend activities.

 

the pavilion brings rich and continuous functionality

 

05 Haikou Citizen Visitor Center

　　

Aerial view of Haikou Citizen Visitor Center

 

Haikou Citizen Visitor Center is located in Haikou Binhai Park, with mountains and rivers nearby, accommodating government functions such as city services and tourism services, and also has a city image display place. The design maintains the original topography and the openness of the park space, forming a large shed covering a large space, representing a non-energy-using area, and concentrating the energy-using space, which greatly reduces the energy consumption of traditional large-space buildings.

 

 

 

The section shows the relationship between the non-energy-using open large space and the energy-using closed small space

The building integrates the space of the city and the lake, and integrates the relationship between the map and the ground of the local traditional arcades, streets and alleys into the building. The inner street and the belt-shaped sunken square are formed on the first floor and the first basement, respectively, and the building is naturally divided into east and west. strip.

 

building roof form

 

The part of the mountain on the east side is combined with the mountain, and is arranged in a patchwork manner into several box-shaped volumes, which are inserted into the mountain; the west side forms a continuous interface with the existing youth activity center and Gangwan Primary School, and blocks the nearby substation from the visual environment along the lake. adverse effects; the southern end of the inner street has a volume extending into the inner lake of the park, forming the opposite view.

 

Buildings integrated into the park

 

06 Rongcheng Youth Activity Center

 

Aerial view of Rongcheng Youth Activity Center

 

Rongcheng is rich in granite, resulting in a large number of excavated stone pits and nests. Therefore, the design hopes to create a terrain that not only satisfies the basic functions of the building, but also compensates for the lack of green in the city, making the building blend into the land.

 

general layout

 

The roof of the whole building is covered with green soil to reduce energy consumption, and the planted ornamental grass gradually lifts up with the roof, presenting a wonderful picture to the citizens. At the same time, a series of skylights are also set up in the building to provide lighting needs.

 

Roof covering and skylight structure

 

The unadorned concrete structure brings a unified and harmonious aesthetic

 

08 Suining Song Porcelain Cultural Center

 

Aerial view of Suining Song Porcelain Cultural Center

 

Suining is famous for its collection of celadon porcelain in the Song Dynasty. This project is named because it includes the function of a city museum. The background of the construction of the cultural center is that the government, as an investment in urban infrastructure, uses the construction of the cultural center to drive the vitality and attractiveness of the new city in the Hedong New District, to lead and demonstrate the construction of the new city, and to show the urban style of Suining.

 

Aerial view of Suining Song Porcelain Cultural Center

 

Canyon-like interior experience

 

The project continues the urban concept of building an "ecological garden city" in Suining City, and strives to build the Suining Song Porcelain Cultural Center, an open urban cultural complex, into a vibrant center of the future Hedong New City and truly committed to citizen integration, popularization of science and education, and sustainable development. Continuing public center.

 

general layout

 

08 Xiongan Design Center

 

Xiongan Design Center

 

This project is a representative way of stock renovation. Based on green transformation rather than facade transformation, organic renewal is achieved instead of demolition and reconstruction; the building is open and shared, and recycled materials are used as much as possible. In terms of energy saving, the old and non-energy-saving facade and the new space are dealt with to form a more ingenious relationship.

 

Xiong'an Design Center Green Renovation Plan

 

As the original garment factory, the plan adopts a light intervention method for transformation. Therefore, it was decided to retain most of the facade, and the north side of the building was treated with insulation. The climate interface is added on the south side to form a transitional warm corridor, and an open outdoor platform is set in the middle.

 

Renovation of the building facade on the south side

 

The flower bed and parking lot space in front of the building are shaped into a community space through light steel structure and wood-plastic materials, creating a green and healthy office environment at a low cost, and becoming a green living space for young people, not just Create aesthetically pleasing reconstructions. The surrounding demolished building materials were also utilized, such as the gabion walls of concrete blocks.

 

Extensive use of energy saving and recycled materials

 

The north side of the building is insulated. The climate interface is added on the south side to form a transitional warm corridor, and an open outdoor platform is set in the middle.

In this way, an almost abandoned garment factory has been given a new lease of life and exerted its due value. Many ordinary buildings can prolong their life in this way, and the waste of building materials and resources can be reduced. Let more old houses in the urban stock renewal can be turned into carriers of green life.

The copyright of the pictures in the text is not marked

The rest are owned by China Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd.