Dark corrugated metal cladding establishes the visual anchor of Paul Bo Peng's Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum, where a commanding vertical tower rises approximately five stories against a cerulean sky

Paul Bo Peng's Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum presents a masterfully orchestrated architectural composition captured during the transitional blue hour, where a centralized water feature functions as th

Paul Bo Peng's Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum presents an elevated architectural composition where modular pavilions clad in charcoal-toned corrugated metal panels establish a rhythmic horizontal organ

Warm honey-toned timber envelops the entire visual field, establishing a monumental yet intimate architectural gesture that frames a luminous pastoral vista beyond, where the composition employs a pro

Weathered timber planks in varying tones of warm umber, burnt sienna, and cool gray establish the primary compositional field, arranged in strict vertical parallel lines creating a rhythmic cadence ac

Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2018

Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum

by Paul Bo Peng

A' Design Award 2018 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Awarded April 15, 2018
CLIENT: Iapa
Estimated Number of Design Views: 25,445
Verification code EA272B04DD · Verify this award

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About Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum

The project is a luxury resort located at the foot of the Great Wall of China. The design is unique in its location and function. The resort incorporates art exhibition, catering, leisure and office spaces. It is extremely rare to have a resort of this style located in such a famous and historically significant site. The cultural significance of the site is reflected in the architectural design of the wellness resort. The design captures traditional Chinese culture but with a sophisticated modern twist

The Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum by Paul Bo Peng presents a compelling meditation on the reconciliation between industrial materiality and organic landscape, exemplifying tendencies within contemporary architecture that seek meaningful dialogue between constructed form and natural environment. The complex demonstrates sophisticated compositional thinking in its arrangement of volumes: a commanding vertical tower anchors the ensemble while horizontal structures cascade across the site with rhythmic intention, their modular character suggesting both systematic logic and responsive adaptation to topographical conditions. The material palette achieves notable coherence through its limited vocabulary of oxidized metals, weathered wood, and glass, each surface contributing distinct textural qualities while maintaining chromatic harmony within a restrained tonal range. Particularly accomplished passages include the transition zones where architecture meets landscape, evidenced in the carefully orchestrated progression from reflective water through naturalistic plantings and mineral pathways to the built structures themselves. The designer appears to engage with traditions of contemplative architecture, creating threshold experiences that slow perception and invite mindful observation of material, light, and spatial sequence. The tower element may reference watchtower typologies while its open observation platform suggests elevated perspective as metaphor for enlightened viewing. The integration of aquatic elements, lotus plants, and ornamental grasses demonstrates sensitivity to seasonal change and ecological rhythm, positioning the architecture as framework for experiencing natural cycles rather than barrier against them. One might observe how the corrugated surfaces create subtle light modulation throughout the day, their ridged profiles casting shifting shadow patterns that animate otherwise static facades. The work invites consideration of how industrial materials, often associated with utility and economy, might achieve poetic expression when deployed with compositional sensitivity and contextual awareness. What transformations of perception does the visitor experience when ascending the vertical tower, and how does elevated vantage reshape understanding of the landscape below?

Press Kit

Unique Properties: The project is a luxury resort located at the foot of the Great Wall of China. The design is unique in its location and function. The resort incorporates art exhibition, catering, leisure and office spaces. It is extremely rare to have a resort of this style located in such a famous and historically significant site. The cultural significance of the site is reflected in the architectural design of the wellness resort. The design captures traditional Chinese culture but with a sophisticated modern twist
Dimensions & Packaging: Gross building area: 750 sqm
Exhibition：200 sqm
Catering：105 sqm
Leisure： 280 sqm
Office：50 sqm
Tags: Cultural, Resort, Design, Architecture, Wellness, Retreat, Hotel, China, Historic
Production Technology: We used locally sourced materials, both new and recycled, including local timber for facade cladding, local river reeds for the outdoor celling, recycled timber sleepers for the path, and local pebbles and stones for the feature walls. The material choice not only reduced the cost, but also added to the story and character of the building. We chose a steel structure that can be prefabricated off-site then assembled on-site. This process reduced the construction time and the main building structure was completed before winter. The interior fit-out was then carried out in a reasonable indoor working temperature during the winter time.
Design Challenge: The most challenging aspect of this project was the construction. We were under time and cost pressure from the client, therefore certain modifications were made the design to fit these requriements. For example, we used a container for the main body of the structure because it was easy to construct and cost effective.
Project Duration: The project started construction from May 2015 and finished in July 2016. The project is located at Jingshanling the foot of the Great Wall, Beijing China.
Operation Flow: The Yin Ma Chuan of the Great Wall complex serves as an oasis for city-dwellers, allowing them to escape the stress of the city and return to a clean, natural environment where they can relax and nurture their soul
Research: We researched the architecture and design of tradtional Chinese style gardens and traditional Beijing style courtyard houses to use as our design inspiration. We also researched and drew inspiration from permaculture, a design philosophy originating from Australia. Permaculture is a system of design principles based on simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural world. We used this philosophy for our design and choice of materials.
Inspiration: Inspiration was taken from traditional Chinese art and design culture. Given the historic backdrop of the Great Wall, our design was inspired by the layout of a Chinese style Courtyard House which typically contains a series of rooms built around an open central garden. The design also embraces the scenic nature of the Great Wall and maximizes the visitor’s ability to enjoy the view and natural surroundings.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer ZENG Zhe, Zhao Hua Xi Shi 2016
Image #2: Photographer ZENG Zhe, Zhao Hua Xi Shi, 2016
Image #3: Photographer ZENG Zhe, Zhao Hua Xi Shi, 2016
Image #4: Photographer ZENG Zhe, Zhao Hua Xi Shi, 2016
Image #5: Photographer ZENG Zhe, Zhao Hua Xi Shi, 2016

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