Location: Mulan Weichang, China.

Architect: HDD.

The Mulan Weichang building is located in the northeast of Hebei province and is designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding natural landscape. The building is inspired by local architecture and uses local materials such as old stone, used wooden beams, and rattan. The design incorporates elements from traditional yurt buildings, including the pattern and facade. The main living room is created by two big circles, while extended boxes become the semi-public space. The flower-shaped roof is created by wooden frames of different thicknesses. The interior space is derived from the traditional yurt interior. The double circled lobby serves as a local library and provides an intimate space for people to enjoy the surrounding landscape. The building uses a double-layered system with a steel framing structure and triple-layered low-e glass panels. The wooden frames on the outside serve as a shading system and follow the tectonic principle. The building is surrounded by a micro-landscape, creating a dynamic experience for visitors. The Stargazing hut provides a great experience for astronomy enthusiasts and is also intended to be a central library for the region. The building is designed to bring people of different faiths together to share ideas and forge a strong community.

Photo credit: Su Shengliang, yitiao.