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Culture Centre, Kunming, China

Part 1 Project 2008
Kieran Conway
 University of Huddersfield | UK
Ref:2212

PROJECT STATEMENT

CULTURE CENTRE, JINMABIJI SQUARE, KUNMING, CHINA

The site is located in a modern vernacular area of Kunming with a lack of green space, in close proximity the busy city centre. The site is isolated from the commercial ‘line of life’ of the city, and is commonly overlooked. To overcome this I opened up the isolated square to social space directly north, reconnecting it to the city. To further encourage usage, the Culture Centre is subterranean with the aim of creating a contemporary green space at ground level for locals to use for social events and tai-chi. The interior of the building then links to the surface through light-wells and openings inspired by traditional chinese courtyards, connecting the inside to out. Additionally, the main ramp feature gives access to both levels, and continues the ‘line of life’ and strong north-south axis of the city through into the building.

Kieran Conway

The project is a bold contemporary vision of the formation of urban space in China. Kunming is a rapidly developing city with all of the ifrastructural and fragmentation issues that that entails. The challenge for students in this loctaion was to try to understand and respond to contaxtual influences in the broadest possible way.
The cultural centre here is seen as a fresh interpretation of physical, climatic, traditional and aspirational needs. It offers a series of urban events that at once stitch together a disharmonious urban area and makes real connections, through a deep understanding of cultural behaviours, between shared memories and the dynamics of change. The aim of the design is to create an urban park that is genuinely alive and will assume its place in the urban cultural landscape of the new Kunming. It is a valid and successful proposition.
2008
The site is located in the middle of Kunming, in close proximity to the busy city centre. Yet is is hidden from view, isolated from the line of life of the city. Opening up the site to locals and tourists was a major priority.
The national Bibliotec in Paris uses a unique approach to landscaping in an urban envrionment. This inspired the culture centre to create a contemporary social space in Kunming.
Peter Zumthor achieves atmospheres within the thermal baths which translated into to culture centre. Being a subterranean building, lighting and textures are a major issue to make the building successful.
Opening up the site to the north and the busy city centre was critical in designing a new building in a restricted location. Upon making the building suberranean, the street level opened up to create a green space for locals and tourists, and due to the l
The ground level answers the contextual issues by creating both dynamic and static spaces, with the intention of drawing people in from all directions.
The lower levels of the building connect to the surrounding area, making access to the building easier and opening it up from further afield then just the immediate site. Lightwells and openings on the surface of the culture centred bring light through t
The landscaping and openings on the ground floor create both routes for people and spaces for socialising. The raised terraces areas can also be used, and protects parts of the site from street noise.
Basements -1 is the main social space of the interior with a resteraunt and tea centre. This level reflects the surface as it also creates routes through the building, linking to the strong north-south axis of the city.
Basement -2 holds the main exhibition space of the centre, access from the ground floor is accieved via the ramp, which allows people who are disabled to gain easy access to all the floors. Hidden away at this level are the staff areas, and a connection
The stepping roof of the building was inspired by chinese agricultural terraces, creating small elevated gardens. This also makes the building more eco-friendly, and creates terraces that are used for solar panels.
The light well can be opened and close according to the climatic conditions, allowing natural light and ventilation to enter the building. The building is constructed mainly of concrete and local stone, in aid of thermal massing.
The focal point of the interior is the opening above the main ramp to the lower levels. Inspired by chinese courtyards, this allows natural light ot the other levels, and creates an important link between ground level and the interior.
The exhibition space is the largest area of the building,where the stepped roof of the building can be appreciated, and cultural art and pieces can be viewed.
The dining area on the basement -1 floor, has a traditional chinese theme, linking to the traditional culture of the Yunnan Province.
Opening up the building through the strong city axis, shows how the flow of people from the city centre is easily directed into the building, and through to the other side of the site. Connecting different areas of the location through the building.
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