2025
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Located along Zhengzhou’s historic axis, the project harmonizes the city’s profound cultural heritage with a forward-looking architectural expression. The design concept reinterprets motifs from Central Plains civilization—such as Song Dynasty paintings, bronze patterns, and the vaulted architecture of the White Horse Temple—through a contemporary spatial language. Arched vaults, curved domes, and skylight-inspired lighting create a fluid, immersive environment where history and modernity coexist.
The project faced dual challenges: honoring millennia-old cultural traditions while meeting strict financial constraints and high-end design expectations. Functionally, it needed to balance flexibility, comfort, and artistry, evolving beyond a simple sales environment into an experiential cultural space. To address this, the team developed a symbolic spatial narrative that merges cultural memory with minimalist modernism.
Material and cost optimization were achieved through a “Cost-Effective Material Substitution Guide,” which selectively used natural stone in focal zones and high-quality porcelain slabs elsewhere—achieving nearly 50% cost savings without compromising visual luxury. Concealed lighting, skylight effects, and dynamic shadow play enriched spatial rhythm and atmosphere.
Technological innovation further enhanced comfort and sustainability. A comprehensive “Five-Comfort” system integrated capillary radiant air conditioning, displacement ventilation, energy-efficient heat pumps, and acoustic control, ensuring optimal temperature, humidity, and air quality. Smart automation supported intuitive environmental management, while same-floor drainage preserved spatial flexibility and tranquility.
Symbolism and innovation converge throughout the design. Vaulted geometries guide movement and evoke sacred openness; materials and light serve as emotional media that connect users with both cultural memory and modern sensibility. By merging art, technology, and functionality, the project transforms tradition into a living, immersive experience.
Ultimately, the design achieves harmony between cultural continuity and contemporary lifestyle, creating a sustainable, emotionally resonant, and high-quality spatial prototype. It stands not merely as a commercial space but as a cultural statement—one that honors Zhengzhou’s legacy while envisioning a future where heritage, innovation, and human comfort coexist seamlessly.
Credits
Entrant Company
Mailiao Township Office + Zoom Design Atelier + C.M.Chao. Architect & Planners
Category
Architectural Design - Public Spaces
Entrant Company
Artificial-Architecture, Singapore University of Technology and Design
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Conceptual Design - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Entrant Company
ENJOY LIFE INTERIOR DESIGN
Category
Interior Design - Living Spaces
Entrant Company
Each Person
Category
User Interface Design (UI) - Human Resources