wang shu erects san-he housing prototype in sifang park

within sifang park‘s campus, chinese architect wang shu has constructed the san-he residence in the dense woods. two forms containing living spaces are separated by a courtyard and reflecting pool but bridged by a rectangular volume with a glass facade facing the interior courtyard of the home and a geometrically punctured outer facade facing the forest. this form also contains the stairs leading to the upper levels of the living areas.  the private quarters are clad in blue terrazzo bricks which create a subtly pixelated grey facade interrupted by various openings and the orange-hued wooden doors.  a concrete canopy is elegantly draped over the living spaces alluring to the form of traditional chinese dwellings, but serving a very practical function of drainage and shading.

in context
image © trevor patt | main image © sifang art museum

side entry under the concrete canopy
image © trevor patt

image © sifang art museum

view through a shared courtyard
image © sifang art museum

(left) geometrically fenestrated outer wall bridging the two living spaces
(right) storage areas
image © trevor patt

interior living area- glass clerestories and skylights create the sensation of a floating roof
image © sifang art museum

stairs
image © sifang art museum

image © sifang art museum

living pace
image © sifang art museum