Ningbo Tengtou Pavilion, Shanghai Expo
Shanghai, China · 2010
Photo · Photo by Fu Xing
A precedent for regional modernism demonstrating the 'wapan' masonry technique of using mixed reclaimed bricks and tiles, combined with a modern concrete frame and a dramatic, organic-shaped portal.
- What we like about this project
- The inner edges of the large irregular opening are lined with a smooth, faceted concrete band that contrasts sharply with the rough brick texture.
Materials
- reclaimed-brick
- terracotta-tile
- cast-in-place-concrete
- bamboo-mesh
- stone
Visual identifiers
- reclaimed-brickwork
- irregular-aperture
- concrete-frame
- wapan-masonry
- bamboo-landscaping
Style tags
- critical-regionalism
- vernacular-modern
- material-focused
Visual tags
- regional-modernism
- reclaimed-materials
- textured-facade
- organic-opening
- pavilion
- chinese-architecture
- Geometry
- A cubic massing defined by a rigid concrete structural frame, filled with textured masonry walls. The facade is punctured by a large, irregular, organic-shaped opening with a faceted concrete frame, alongside smaller rectangular openings.
- Facade system
- Load-bearing concrete frame with infill walls of reclaimed brick, tile, and stone.
- Structural guess
- Reinforced concrete post-and-beam frame with masonry infill.
- Spatial scale
- A multi-story pavilion scale, where the main irregular opening spans approximately three stories in height.
- Lighting
- Bright, direct daylight casting sharp shadows within the deep, irregular portal and highlighting the rough, variegated texture of the reclaimed brickwork.
- Atmosphere
- A harmonious tension between rustic, historic masonry textures and bold, contemporary geometric cuts.
- Environmental context
- Set within a landscaped public realm featuring bamboo plantings and manicured grasses, with a modern high-rise residential tower visible in the distant background.
- Spatial experience
- The massive, heavily textured masonry envelope is broken by a cavernous, multi-story portal that reveals internal circulation ramps and framed views of the sky and interior levels, transitioning from solid mass to open void.
- Composition rhythm
- The facade balances a heavy, solid masonry field with a dominant, off-center organic void and smaller, rhythmically placed rectangular openings.
- Style reading
- Critical Regionalism / New Chinese Architecture
- Program
- Exhibition pavilion / cultural center
- Perspective
- Exterior Facade
- Discipline
- architecture
- Materials
- reclaimed-brick, terracotta-tile, cast-in-place-concrete, bamboo-mesh, stone
- Visual identifiers
- reclaimed-brickwork, irregular-aperture, concrete-frame, wapan-masonry, bamboo-landscaping
- Style tags
- critical-regionalism, vernacular-modern, material-focused
- Visual tags
- regional-modernism, reclaimed-materials, textured-facade, organic-opening, pavilion, chinese-architecture
- Geometry
- A cubic massing defined by a rigid concrete structural frame, filled with textured masonry walls. The facade is punctured by a large, irregular, organic-shaped opening with a faceted concrete frame, alongside smaller rectangular openings.
- Facade system
- Load-bearing concrete frame with infill walls of reclaimed brick, tile, and stone.
- Structural guess
- Reinforced concrete post-and-beam frame with masonry infill.
- Spatial scale
- A multi-story pavilion scale, where the main irregular opening spans approximately three stories in height.
- Lighting
- Bright, direct daylight casting sharp shadows within the deep, irregular portal and highlighting the rough, variegated texture of the reclaimed brickwork.
- Atmosphere
- A harmonious tension between rustic, historic masonry textures and bold, contemporary geometric cuts.
- Environmental context
- Set within a landscaped public realm featuring bamboo plantings and manicured grasses, with a modern high-rise residential tower visible in the distant background.
- Spatial experience
- The massive, heavily textured masonry envelope is broken by a cavernous, multi-story portal that reveals internal circulation ramps and framed views of the sky and interior levels, transitioning from solid mass to open void.
- Composition rhythm
- The facade balances a heavy, solid masonry field with a dominant, off-center organic void and smaller, rhythmically placed rectangular openings.
- Style reading
- Critical Regionalism / New Chinese Architecture
- Program
- Exhibition pavilion / cultural center
- Perspective
- Exterior Facade
- Discipline
- architecture