winding gabled roof tops galaxy arch’s wood-framed community space in chinese village

galaxy arch crafts continuous stepped structure for the village

Galaxy Arch integrates an open leisure space for the community of the traditional Dongyan Village in China. Comprising two stepped wooden volumes united by a continuous gable roof, the structure spans approximately 30 meters as it sits atop a small hill, offering a descending path for daily activities and a space for momentary rest with views of the neighborhood. Embracing simple form and functionality, the project refrains from pretentiousness, inviting contemplation of the fundamental architectural philosophy reminiscent of unadorned village homes. The design comprises a sequence of spaces constructed on a leveled platform using a wooden structural truss system. Within, to minimize the size of the columns, a lightweight molded asphalt tile was used for the roof, providing sufficient strength and allowing for overhanging eaves that contribute to effective waterproofing.

a celebration of simple architectural forms

The completed project has blended with its surroundings. Lush greenery envelops the site, while villagers have embraced the space, incorporating it into their daily lives. Local farmhouse businesses have found utility in the resting platform, setting up tables for communal activities. To navigate the site’s height difference of 10 meters, the overall circulation connects higher and lower elevations, establishing links with surrounding functions at various intermediate elevations. The trusses, arranged parallel to the contour lines, effectively lower the sightlines on both sides to shield the nearby residences and inform circulation, while they transfer gravity loads to the retaining walls below through columns.

Before finalizing the wooden structure design, the team at Galaxy Arch thoroughly studied the specifications, determining the ideal dimensions of components and basic practices for nodes. Considering that construction would mostly occur on-site with lower precision than a factory, the design did not incorporate overly detailed nodes to meet the accuracy requirements of on-site construction. Despite the substantial use of materials for the trusses, the most intricate elements were the columns, each with varying elevations and positions, and unique connections with the trusses. 

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project info:

name: Continuous Roof – Wooden Structure

architecture: Galaxy Arch

design team: Ji Xin, Ge Jiaqi, Chen Chao

location: Dongyang Village, China

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