ripples of GFRC panels clad 'LAND community center' by EID architecture in china

conceived as a ‘floating gateway’ for a new residential development, this latest project by EID architecture provides a social and cultural venue for the burgeoning neighborhood of fengdong in xi’an, china. in addition to an extensive program, which includes a sunken courtyard and zen garden, ‘LAND community center’ offers a large public space for the community to enjoy. 

LAND community center

image by lujing architectural photography

the building spans three storys in total. the program above ground level comprises a community service center, cafeteria, gallery, multi-purpose room for educational and recreational purposes, and a reading room. the basement level provides a daycare center for children, a basketball court, a fitness workout room, and a swimming pool. these recreational spaces are organized around an oval sunken courtyard to allow natural light to penetrate into the underground facilities. the roof is also topped with a terrace and green roof.

inclusive and open plaza

image by lujing architectural photography

beyond the scope of the community center itself, the project is designed as an urban structure that aims to provide intimate pockets of public space. LAND community center hovers over the entry plaza of the residential neighborhood along the main boulevard of fengdong district. by elevating the gallery, exhibition space and community service center above ground, this community center frees up more open space for the neighborhood, providing a civic place for casual gathering and communal activities. the gravity-defying structure offers pedestrian-friendly protection from extreme weather conditions such as harsh sunlight and rain. the landscaped plaza can be accessible for residents of the neighborhoods nearby.

creating thermal mass and shading

image by lujing architectural photography

the sculptural quality of this building not only creates an identifiable presence for the new district but also a unique immersion experience for the residents and visitors alike. the contrast between the complexity of the organic base and simplicity of the upper volume is coherent with the duality of chinese architecture tradition: the integration of the artificial intervention with nature. 

surface

image by lujing architectural photography

to achieve the sculptural quality and surface effect of the lower portion for the building, a combination of digital fabrication with local crafts were experimented with to produce precast GFRC panels. the mass and weight of the lower portion reference local historical city wall and gateway. the sculptural base of the community center features a dynamic surface of rippling effect to emanate tactile and sensory experience. the upper portion of the community center is wrapped around with curved high performance low-iron glass unit, forming a light-filled interior space for community gathering and activities.

sunken courtyard

image by yike studio

in the sunken courtyard, a zen garden serves as a visual focal point for the multilevel community center. an open floor and flowing interior concept are introduced to encourage the interaction and exchange between the residents. orchestrated through a series of events, the center provides a communal experience of the featured programs ranging for civic to recreational activities.

sunken courtyard

image by lujing architectural photography

designed as a LEED gold certified building, the entire project was conceived as a bioclimatic infrastructure that tries to obtain its levels of comfort by combining the local natural resources, both climatic and material ones. the building is also designed to stimulate natural ventilation and create thermal mass and shades which are much appreciated during the extreme heat spikes throughout the summer. natural light is abundant both above and below grade with well-planned program distribution.

interior view of the courtyard

image by yike studio

LAND community center is intended to create a flexible building for a range of community activities, providing a catalyst for fostering a lively neighborhood. it reflects the ethos of city of xi’an by integrating contemporary design with historical attributes. in contrast to many rapid urban developments in china, this gravity-defying structure not only establishes a unique architectural expression for the burgeoning residential complex, it maximizes the provision of open and inclusive civic spaces for communal experience, creating a sense of neighborhood and belonging for the otherwise nondescriptive urban district.

night view

image by lujing architectural photography

tunnel of light

image by yike studio

gravity-defying structure

image by lujing architectural photography

pedestrian friendly environment

image by lujing architectural photography

GFRC detail

image by yike studio

project info:

project name: LAND community center

location: xi’an, china
client: shaanxi vanland real estate co.,ltd
design & completion date: july 2019 – august 2020
built area: 48,437.6 ft2 (4,500 m2)
type: community / civic
architect: ping jiang丨EID architecture
design team: ping jiang, AIA (design principal), michelle bao, sean lu, jinjing yu, hong li, wei xu, chengyang wang, yixuan cheng
collaborating local design institute & MEP engineer: sichuan zhoyu architecture design co., ltd
structural engineer: shanghai wilderness structural design firm / shaanxi taixin steel structure engineering co., ltd
interior designer: waterfrom design / shenzhen feiyan interior design co., ltd
landscape architects: GZ.S.P.I. LANDSCAPE DESIGN CO.,LTD
GFRC: meichuang building material
façade consultant: CCBH
photography: lujing architectural photography / yike studio

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

edited by: lynne myers | designboom