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Female owned

Guiyang, CN

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Main Entrance Credits: West-line Studio
Main Entrance
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Memorial Hall (Chishui Cemetery)

The Memorial Hall is dedicated to the deeds of the martyrs who rest in the adjacent cemetery in the city of Chishui, in Guizhou province. The cemetery complex is organized around a main west-east axis; the oblique cut in the southern part of the new building and its main entrance staircase’s orientation highlight this axis, paying respect to the old cemetery complex. Added in 2012, the Memorial Hall is located on the northern side of the main cemetery axis, on a Danxia stone hillside with an elevation difference of about 10 meters. Danxia is the local red stone, typical of the Chishui area, whose color is given by an accumulation of reddish sandstone. 

 Architects took inspiration from traditional Chishui dwellings, strongly characterized by a typical multi-patio layout, which increases natural light and ventilation, and roofs covered in blue-grey tiles. The multi-patio system has been implemented by recreating a specific atmosphere for each patio, while the double-slope roof, still covered in characteristic blue-grey tiles, has evolved into a continuous undulating overall roof, which emphasizes the different areas and the terrain movement.

 The Memorial Hall showcases the deeds of the martyrs through pictures, objects and various artefacts. The space is designed to give extreme flexibility to the exhibition areas, which are regularly updated according to different themes.

The building is characterized by a porous layout, where three courtyards progressively follow the movement of the terrain, preserving the existing trees. Two 50-years-old camphor trees, 30 meters tall, highlight the courtyard at the main entrance, while the fragrance of the osmanthus tree characterizes the triangular courtyard on the north-west. The bamboo forest, located on the east side of the plot, has also been preserved; the building is integrated into the surroundings, keeping the original vegetation and camouflaging through the typical blue-grey roof tiles.

Each architectural element is strongly marked by the use of one specific color; the blue-grey roofline is suspended over a pure white body, anchored to a bold red layered base, made of local Danxia stone, the same material as the surrounding terrain. The only other colors are brought to the space by colorful skylights. In front of the entrance is an atrium characterized by a diffuse yellow light, which creates a solemn and lively commemorative atmosphere. In the northern area two more groups of skylights illuminate a long narrow courtyard, where white light and columns recreate a pure atmosphere. A ramp corridor connects the different areas, highlighted in the northern part with red shades.

 With its porous layout, colorful highlights and limited material selection, the Memorial Hall aims to recreate an introspective atmosphere through the development and regeneration of traditional dwellings. The building fits into the cemetery context and into the neighborhood, keeping construction costs low and indicating an evolution path for local architecture.

 
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Status: Built
Location: Chishui Shi, CN
Firm Role: Lead Architect
Additional Credits: Lead Architects: Haobo Wei, Jingsong Xie
Team: Yuanping Li, Yudan Luo, Minghua Ou
Photo: Haobo Wei

 
Top View Credits: West-line Studio
Top View
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Outdoor Ramp Credits: West-line Studio
Outdoor Ramp
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Courtyards Credits: West-line Studio
Courtyards
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Back View Credits: West-line Studio
Back View
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North-West Facade Credits: West-line Studio
North-West Facade
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North-West Facade Credits: West-line Studio
North-West Facade
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Outdoor Ramp Credits: West-line Studio
Outdoor Ramp
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Outdoor Staircase Credits: West-line Studio
Outdoor Staircase
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Exhibition Area Credits: West-line Studio
Exhibition Area
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White Patio Credits: West-line Studio
White Patio
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Exhibition Area Credits: West-line Studio
Exhibition Area
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Exhibition Area Credits: West-line Studio
Exhibition Area
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Yellow Patio Credits: West-line Studio
Yellow Patio
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Master Plan Credits: West-line Studio
Master Plan
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Floor Plan Credits: West-line Studio
Floor Plan
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Roof Plan Credits: West-line Studio
Roof Plan
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South-West Elevation Credits: West-line Studio
South-West Elevation
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North-East Elevation Credits: West-line Studio
North-East Elevation
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South-East Elevation Credits: West-line Studio
South-East Elevation
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North-West Elevation Credits: West-line Studio
North-West Elevation
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Section Credits: West-line Studio
Section
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Section Credits: West-line Studio
Section
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Skylight + Courtyard System Credits: West-line Studio
Skylight + Courtyard System
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Function Diagram Credits: West-line Studio
Function Diagram
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