‘niyang river visitor center’ by standardarchitecture, linzhi, tibet image © chen su

 

 

 

the ‘niyang river visitor center’ just received the international award – ‘architecture in stone 2011’ from the 46th edition of marmomacc. beijing-based practice standardarchitecture explained their ‘niyang river visitor center’ project to designboom (in a studio visit a week ago). it is located along mirui road in linzhi, tibet, positioned within the brahmaptra canyon and adjacent to the niyang river. the monolithic external form is carefully carved to respond to the surrounding landscape conditions. four irregular openings lead to an open-air courtyard which connects and circulates visitors through the building. constructed from local stone, the remaining three enclosed volumes are accessed from the central space which host the ticket office, dressing room for water rafting and restrooms. the project was completed alongside architect zhao yang.

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center view across mirui road image © chen su

 

 

 

influenced by the tibetan vernacular tradition, the structure is comprised of a 600 mm thick load-bearing wall which rests upon a concrete foundation. flanking each opening, a 400 mm partition increases stability by acting as a buttress. stacked stone beams with long spans are reinforced from inside with a bundle of logs. a thick layer of aga clay serves as a waterproofed and heat insulated barrier. before the workable substance hardens, gutters are shaped to drain the roof.

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center side elevation image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center elevation image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center one of the four entrances image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center view towards niyang river image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center view from interior towards mirui road image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center open roof frames the mountains beyond image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center interior courtyard image © chen su

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center model image courtesy standardarchitecture

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center publication featuring the project at the standardarchitecture office image © designboom

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center publication featuring the project at the standardarchitecture office image © designboom

standardarchitecture: niyang river visitor center portait of garcia cruz (left) and zhang ke (right) at the standardarchitecture studio image © designboom

 

 

project info:

 

architects: standardarchitecture – zhao yang studio location: daze village, linchi, tibet client: tibet tourism ltd. floor area: 430 sqm structure system: stone load-bearing wall + timber roof cost: 1,000,000 rmb design phase: jan.2009 – may. 2009 construction phase: jun. 2009 – oct. 2009 design team: zhang ke, zhang hong, hou zhenghua, zhao yang, chen ling photography: chen su

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