Tianmianshang

Pavilion for Art Institute of Xiaoyan

The team wants to challenge the notion of floor, roof-ceiling, interiority, and exteriority. The undulating floor and roof-ceiling create various threshold spaces within. Planar permutation of walls and columns makes interiority versus exteriority a little harder to parse. They hope this design becomes a stimulus for an organic formation of partiality from the users towards various subspace within, against the backdrop of a seemingly uniform in concept arrangement.

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Tianmianshang by jintao li

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Pavilion by jintao li

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jintao li Tianmianshang

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jintao li Pavilion

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Unique Properties

Art Institute School of Xiaoyan wants to challenge the notion of floor, roof/ceiling, interiority and exteriority. The undulating floor and roof/ceiling create various threshold spaces within. Planar permutation of walls and columns makes interiority versus exteriority a little harder to parse. AIXY hopes this design becomes a stimulus for an organic formation of partiality from the users towards various subspace within, against the backdrop of a seemingly uniform-in-concept arrangement.

Tags

Rural Design, Cultural Design, Public Space

Production Technology

Its column, using concrete structure, in addition to the four main walls created for the interior space, also added two irregularly arranged concrete walls, which are not simply used to separate the space but blur the boundaries of the space, forming a spatial structure from unorganized to shaped. This design not only enhances the stability of the building but also gives the whole space more layers of change. A one-piece, lightweight steel structure is used for the roof. This design not only visually presents clean and smooth lines but also strengthens the sense of unity and lightness of the building as a whole, making the building seem to float in the surrounding natural environment. It not only conforms to the aesthetics of modern architecture but also interprets the architectural concept of man and nature.

Design Challenge

This project was completed by the students and tutors of Art Institute School of Xiaoyan, during which the communication and design of the program, as well as the coordination between the students was challenging.

Project Duration

It is located in Huizhou City, Guangdong Province.

Operation Flow

Art Institute School of Xiaoyan wants to create a space that breaks traditional boundaries, a building that is not just a physical entity but an experience. This pavilion is situated behind an orange grove, where people can temporarily disconnect from the hustle and bustle and experience nature.

Research

When a space is abstracted to its elementary components, people are given a chance to decompose and re-examine these components on a more fundamental level. Since mankind adopted the concept of shelter as a tradition, “the threshing floor was a place of work but also a place of gathering, dancing, ritual, and worship” (Elements of Architecture, Rem Koolhaas). Art Institute School of Xiaoyan intended for the project to be a space of action and gathering. Approaching the request with its intended abstractedness, they want to challenge the notion of floor, roof/ceiling, interiority and exteriority. The undulating floor and roof/ceiling create various threshold spaces within. Planar permutation of walls and columns makes interiority versus exteriority a little harder to parse. They hope this design becomes a stimulus for an organic formation of partiality from the users towards various subspace within, against the backdrop of a seemingly uniform-in-concept arrangement.

Inspiration

From plaza to apartment floors to parliament floor, the idea of floor has been a fundamental symbol for action, be it the more private types or more public types such as a place for negotiation, congregation. Similarly, the roof or ceiling (in this case Art Institute of Xiaoyan is intentionally obscuring the distinction between the two), is the reciprocal of floor, completing the concept of a sheltered space, and has evolved in recent years to being an envelope for practicality (hidden structural system, HVAC system, false ceiling etc)

Project Overview

Tianmianshang Pavilion has been a Bronze winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit jintao li.

Bronze Recognition

jintao li was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Tianmianshang Pavilion.

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