previously built as a grain mill during the 1950’s, yudian design transforms this 800 sqm building into an airy museum of western regions, located in the nanshan grasslands near urumqi city, china. nestled in the northern chinese wilderness, the dongzhuang building resembles an off-white stone that’s rolled down the mountain, standing serenely and naturally in the open gobi desert. the design respects the framework and ecological diversity of the local wildlife by having a ‘transparent’ presence.

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the museum is located in the nanshan grasslands

 

 

yudian design’s dongzhuang museum of western regions is composed of cement, sand, rebar and glass. the thick walls and small windows protect the interior against the scorching desert sun during the summertime and the coolness in the winter. one of the guiding principles used during the construction of the building was that the designers applied an open space plan in order to maximize the use of natural light as the sun and moon are excellent sources of light.

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the moonlit rooftop 

 

 

additionally, each orientation carries a specific characteristic: the northern wall is bolder than the others as it is resistant to strong winds, the eastern façade is completely open to the blue skies overlooking a small river and majestic mountains, the eastern area overlooks the great nanshan grasslands, and finally, the western wall has an open roof where the skylight pours into the museum.

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the open space overlooks the northern chinese mountains

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the monochromatic courtyard 

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the eastern façade overlooks the majestic mountains

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the majority of the materials used are locally sourced

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
a perforated wall in the courtyard

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the interior of the museum

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
view from the nanshan grasslands

yudian design's repurposed grain mill transforms into serene dongzhuang museum in china
the western façade of the structure

 

 

project info:

 

designed in: july 2014
designed at: western ecological environment research center, 23 baijiangou village, tuoli township, urumqi county, xinjiang, china
completed in: july 2016
scale of construction: 7,700 sqm, with one story underground and 3 stories above ground
land used for building: 1,990 sqm
building area: 800 sqm
total construction area: 7,700 sqm
underground area: 1,750 sqm
floor area: 5,950 sqm
designed by: xinjiang wind architectural design & research institute co.,ltd.
design team: liu xu, zhang haiyang, liu erdong, zhang zhong, zhang qing, zhang jian
photographer: yao li

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom