Aurélien Chen’s Dragon Mountain Tourist Center Displays Integration From Traditional Chinese Philosophy and Vernacular Architecture

In the heart of China's picturesque Rizhao, a sprawling 3,000-square-meter architectural complex has emerged as the Dragon Mountain Tourist Center, a testament to the visionary design of French architect Aurélien Chen. This recently completed project seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese philosophy and vernacular architecture, presenting a unique entrance to the Dragon Mountain natural tourist site.

The Entrance to Dragon Mountain

Architect Aurélien Chen orchestrates a distinctive entrance to the Dragon Mountain tourist site, inviting visitors to embark on a journey defined by serenity and architectural poetry. The entrance alley gracefully divides into two paths-one ascending towards the mountain and the other descending to tranquil ponds surrounded by trees. Chen's design philosophy, rooted in fragmentation, divides the surface area into five architectural elements that delicately integrate with the site's topography, forming a harmonious architectural complex around a central square.

Aurélien Chen's Symbiotic Vision

Chen's design for the Dragon Mountain Tourist Center celebrates purity and slenderness. The ascending buildings symbolize a profound connection between Earth and Sky, embodying the Taoist concept of the 'Cosmic Triad'-the interconnectedness of Earth, Human Beings, and Heaven. Departing from the conventional approach to tourist site entrances in China, Chen incorporates the entrance gate seamlessly into the architectural composition, serving as both a functional space for ticketing and security and a symbolic representation of tradition.

Architectural Poetry in Material Choices

Chen's thoughtful material choices further accentuate the Dragon Mountain Tourist Center's integration with the natural surroundings. Stone cladding establishes a tactile connection to the Earth, seamlessly merging the gate with the landscape. Raw concrete, meticulously crafted from wood formwork, pays homage to the irregularity of natural elements, ensuring a construction process that aligns with the essence of the surroundings. A delicate layer of natural bamboo sticks acts as a screen, gracefully bridging the gap between massive concrete and transparent glass, establishing a nuanced harmony between the built space and the natural environment.

Symbolic Design Elements

Chen's deviation from the standardized entrance sequence in Chinese tourist sites manifests in the unique design of the entrance gate. Comprising three rows of arched walls, the gate not only delineates the public square outside but also serves as an architectural and sculptural piece. The absence of a portal creates a void, framing distant mountain peaks and introducing a distinctive landscape frame that encapsulates the essence of Dragon Mountain's breathtaking views.

In conclusion, Aurélien Chen's Dragon Mountain Tourist Center is a masterpiece of architectural alchemy, where the symbiosis of nature and design creates an enchanting experience. Chen's commitment to the Taoist principles of interconnectedness and purity is evident in every detail, from the ascending buildings symbolizing the 'Cosmic Triad' to the carefully chosen materials that seamlessly blend with the landscape. The Dragon Mountain Tourist Center is not just an architectural marvel; it's an invitation to traverse a threshold where the realms of Earth, Humans, and Heaven converge in a poetic dance.