Metal Mesh Integrates Chinese Office Architecture to Nature

About AOE

Project: Chongqing Sunac One Central Mansion Sales Pavilion
Architecture: AOE
Year: 2017
Location: Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China

Upon being hired to renovate the architecture of a sales office in Beijing, China, Aoe's office invested in a project that visually integrates construction into nature and thus pays homage to the Chinese architectural tradition.





The integration was made thanks to a metal mesh that is in front of the facade of the building and works as a kind of armor that surrounds it. And that choice was not random. Unlike Western architecture, which is largely based on a constructive system supported by masonry, the Chinese seek to make buildings a continuation of external spaces. By putting a mesh facing out, the professional created a structure with curvilinear lines dictated by the curves of nature.

Biofacade Technology and Microalgae-Covered Buildings by XTU Architects

About XTU Architects

The biofacade technology provides natural insulation, absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. XTU Architects proposes algae-covered towers for Hangzhou.

Huangzhou, China, can win another daring architectural project. It is that the French studio XTU Architects developed a project of four twisted glass towers. So far so good. The building is even more curious to have the facade lined with panels with microalgae.

Called French Dream Towers, the buildings must include biofacade technology. The algae layer provides natural insulation and compensates for the building's environmental impact by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

"The culture of microalgae on the facade of building is a process developed by XTU for several years. It allows symbiosis: the biofacade uses the thermal building to regulate the temperature of algae and at the same time these biofacades allow a much better insulation of the buildings", architects said in a statement.





Arup was a pioneer in biofacade technology five years ago, with the world's first algae building in Hamburg, Germany.

Microalgae growing in glass panels can be used to generate renewable energy. According to the publication, XTU Architects suggested that in case of its Hangzhou towers, algae could be harvested for use in medicines or cosmetics.

One of the towers should include restaurants, a panoramic bar, a hotel, a spa and a beauty salon. Another tower would be dedicated to art, with galleries, etc. Already the last tower will be for business, with offices, startups and spaces of coworking.

Taohuayuan - Most Expensive House in China - Beautiful Traditional Chinese Style House

Project	Taohuayuan
Bedrooms	32
Bathrooms	32
Price (2016)	¥1 billion ($150 million)
Total Area	6730 sq m (72441 sq ft)
Location	Lake Dushu, Suzhou, China

Wealthy Chinese can afford to buy a house they like in any corner of the world, from Melbourne to Vancouver, but this time all eyes are on this magnificent example of low-rise architecture in traditional Chinese style on the lake Dushu in Suzhou in a hundred kilometers west of Shanghai. House with 32 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms, is announced as the most expensive house in China and offered for sale by Sotheby's for 1 billion yuan (about 150 million dollars).





House name is Taohuayuan and means "utopia" or "peaceful prosperous land" and looking at these photos it is easy to understand why. Magnificent foggy ponds, a huge swimming pool, a solid wine cellar and wonderful views of the picturesque lake, all this corresponds to a sense of quiet confidence, symbolically reflected in the name of this beautiful home.

The total area is ​​6730 square meters (72441 sq ft).

Piano and violin house, China

This piano and violin house is located in the An Hui province of China. The piano shaped building contains city plans to showcase future growth of the region and the violin contains an escalator.

Design: Huainan Fangkai Decoration Project Co.

Fujian Tulou Ancient Houses in China

Video

Location

In 2008 UNESCO recognized the old houses ethnic Hakka in China as an official World Heritage, noting the historical, cultural and architectural value of these amazing structures. Built in the period from the 12th to the 20th century, each of these buildings can accommodate up to 800 people, forming a city within a city. In Fujian, a large part of the coast of China, is located about 20,000 of these buildings.

Also called Fujian Tulou, old houses are an important part of the history of this land, these structures protected local people against attacks of robbers. Typical Fujian Tulou ancient house has three to five storeys, surrounded by thick earthen wall - thickness of up to 1.8 meters in most buildings. The only entrance was protected by a wooden door and 10 cm thick iron gates. At the roof level were arranged loopholes to repel enemy attacks. Aesthetically these old houses capture the spirit and beauty of the rural areas of China.

Zen water house design, China

Zen water house design (China) combines the use of natural materials with simplicity of forms. Stone, water and wood are designed to create a meditative sense of serenity, peace, and bring a contemplative attitude to the environment.

Architecture and photographs: Li Xiaodong Atelier