Enchanting Ruins

The design talks about the renovation and preservation in Chinese suburb area. By proposing a new order without traditional axis for tomb architecture, the building gives the space back to natural grassland and combine the tourist closely with local nature and culture.

The concept starts from ruins. Architecture becomes ruins when it collapses, which means architecture is not eternal. So we must think it through, “if it is not eternal, can architecture still do its duty when become ruins?” It is common that architects think too important of themselves. Actually everyone can define or reform space just by using it. That is to say, some entity like architecture is not essential for human’s living or society. People always can find some other way to solve the space issues. So the role of architecture should not only be an entity -– they can also disappear, no matter it’s still alive or not. They step back, try to be less obvious and give back the original space to human. This design aims to discuss the topic of Chinese urbanism, which is typical for total demolition and reconstruction. In this kind of process, the culture and mark of place always tend to vanish. \nTraditional tombs always have a strong and dominating axis. Here we try to create multiple axis, which also means no axis. In this way we take the role of architecture and give it back to site: the vast and wild grassland where Zhaojun was buried. Also without axis, the sense of ritual has been weakened. There can be much more opportunity to have more vivid activities.\nFurthermore, to maximize the original site landscape, the building has been sunk into underground, showing its humble attitude to ground and history. Tourist goes under into space, feel the grassland closely, also look up to the starry sky.\nBy these two steps, this place becomes more free and welcoming, like the grassland itself. The preservation tends to be purer and more sincere. As tourist center, it combines multiple functions and environment together. The renovation tends to be more practical and efficient.