Shanshui Firewood Garden / Mix Architecture

Architects: Mix Architecture
Area: 1,100 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Arch-Exist
Structural Consultant: Shanghai Yuangui Architectural Structure Design Office
MEP: Ruiwen Engineering Design (Shanghai)
Lighting: LUMIA Lab
Design Team: Suning Zhou, Ke Yang, Qian Shi, Ziye Wu, Tao Tang, Libin Lin Construction Consultancy: Qinhao Wen
Client: Chengdu Jinda Jiajin Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd.
Construction Design: ZHI CHENG ARCH-TECH
City: Yibin
Country: China

The Firewood Garden, designed by Mix Architecture, stands as a profound interpretation of traditional Sichuan dwellings. Set in Anshi Village in Yibin, Sichuan, this project seamlessly integrates cultural heritage with modern architectural practices. The design reimagines the traditional structures and spaces of the region, reflecting a deep respect for local materials and construction techniques. The result is a space that not only respects its environment but also enhances the sensory experience of its inhabitants, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to contemporary architectural challenges.

Shanshui firewood garden / mix architecture

Anshi Village, nestled behind Nianpan Mountain in Yibin, Sichuan, is characterized by its myriad lanes, scattered fields, ponds, diverse houses, and lush trees, typical of the forest areas in western Sichuan. The Firewood Garden is discreetly placed between a bamboo forest and a village pond, its presence subtly woven into the landscape. The architectural approach borrows from traditional Sichuan dwellings, focusing on space, material use, dimensions, and overall experiential quality.

Traditional Sichuan dwellings often feature the use of pierced wood—light, agile, and structurally simple but ingeniously designed. The architecture includes low, expansive eaves providing shelter and ensuring ventilation. Adapted to local conditions, this method has given rise to a distinctive architectural style. The exterior combines local materials: predominantly white bamboo weaving and mud walls with a foundation of red sandstone blocks, ensuring the structure’s durability. Central to these dwellings is the courtyard, a pivotal outdoor space reflecting the inhabitants’ aspirations for interaction with nature.

Adapting and reorganizing these traditional elements, the building employs a cross-style layout that melds into the surrounding landscape. The expansive eaves extend over nearby ponds, maximizing views. The design introduces a central, arc-shaped courtyard, enhancing the interplay of light and shadow, akin to a dynamic windmill in motion. The space is divided into private and communal areas, such as private rooms and public amenities like tea rooms and book bars, each oriented towards different natural vistas.

The use of materials such as firewood, red sandstone, and blue tiles speaks to the agricultural legacy of Anshi Village. These materials are crafted into elements like fish-scale patterns in sandstone and decoratively hung firewood, enriching the texture and aesthetic of the building. This material strategy not only resonates with the local architectural vernacular but also integrates modern construction techniques to create spaces that are both serene and dynamic.

The Firewood Garden is a testament to the thoughtful integration of traditional Sichuan architectural principles with contemporary design needs, creating a reflective and forward-looking space. The project highlights the potential of architecture to bridge past and present, making a profound connection with its cultural and natural environment.