Sticking up for sustainability
Updated: 2013-07-25 01:00
By Sun Yuanqing (China Daily)
|
||||||||
Liyuan Library in Huairou district of Beijing [Photo by Cui Meng/China Daily] |
Liyuan Library integrates architecture into the natural landscape using traditional Chinese architectural concepts.
Rows of firewood are the first impression of Liyuan Library, which sits beside a pond surrounded by mountains in the Huairou district of Beijing. On a day when the tranquility is broken only by birdsong, it is "a setting for clear thoughts" as the building's designer describes it.
Designed by Chinese architect Li Xiao-dong, the library was one of the winning designs in the 2013 Architecture of Necessity competition held in Sweden in June, making it the first Chinese project to claim the honor.
"It is a contemporary project, but it is full of Chinese traditional wisdom," says Li, who is also a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing. "I wanted to explore how to integrate architecture into the natural landscape using traditional Chinese architectural knowledge."
The intention was to make a modest complement to the beauty of the natural surroundings. "You can never compete with nature's splendor," Li says.
Li also wanted it to resonate with the local villagers. "With Liyuan, I also tried to test new ground by using local materials to address the issues of the local community, which is another important aspect of sustainability."
- Victoria Beckham S/S 2014 presented during NYFW
- 'Despicable' minions upset Depp's 'Lone Ranger' at box office
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
- Rihanna almost thrown out of nightclub
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Time to reduce dollar's hold |
Facial Expressions |
Rallying to the rescue of fishermen |
Writers chase dreams online |
US Sinophile traces the evolution of Chinese words |
Officials: A matter of faith |
Today's Top News
Going green can make good money sense
Senate leader 'confident' fiscal crisis can be averted
China's Sept CPI rose 3.1%
No new findings over Arafat's death: official
Detained US citizen dies in Egypt
Investment week kicks off in Dallas
Chinese firm joins UK airport enterprise
Trending news across China
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |