venice architecture biennale: liu jiakun's west village basis yard

liu jiakun assembles model of vast chengdu development at the venice architecture biennale
all images courtesy of jiakun architects

at the 2016 venice architecture biennale, liu jiakun has installed an immersive scale model of a vast multifunctional complex his firm completed in 2014. located within the giardini’s central pavilion, the exhibition details the ‘west village basis yard’ in chengdu, a huge urban development containing diverse public life as well as marketplace scenarios. covering an entire city block, the scheme is located in a recently urbanized area to the north-west of the capital of china’s sichuan province. responding to the biennale’s theme ‘reporting from the front’, the project seeks to revitalize the public life of its surrounding communities, while simultaneously sustaining itself.

the immersive scale model is located within the giardini’s central pavilion

the complex integrates multiple programs including sports, leisure, and artistic activities. the building runs with an uninterrupted sequence of wide horizontal floors: two subterranean storeys, and five to six above ground. the internal façade has continuous balconies that allow views of the internal courtyard. on the external façade, commercial spaces are set back in the outreached, continuous veranda — forming a public walkway.

the ‘west village basis yard’ in chengdu was completed in 2014

the north side is defined by dogleg ramps that can be used to reach the upper floors. these can function as a cycling circuit or jogging path, entwining the whole yard and connecting each floor of the building. along the roof, a walkway is dotted with pavilions, bridges, galleries, and sight-viewing platforms. three big sports fields are situated at the center of the plan, surrounded by a green basin of bamboo courtyards, squares, and tea houses. as part of the installation — titled ‘a celebration of everyday life’ — images, videos, and material samples further document the project.

the huge urban development contains diverse public life as well as marketplace scenarios