Stone-Ideas.com

Bringing architecture and nature together is one of the guiding principles for Lü Cheng of China Northwest Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. (CSCEC), Ltd. He sees one way of achieving this as constructing buildings using local materials. He implemented a special variation of this concept with his colleagues from HUAXIA Architects Studio at the memorial for the victims of the earthquake of August 03, 2014, in Longtoushan Town (Yunnan Province).

At the time, over 600 people lost their lives, more than 3,100 were injured, and over 100 are still missing. Over 12,000 buildings, mainly older ones, collapsed, and around 30,000 were damaged.

Lü Cheng spoke at the Xiamen Stone Fair on the topic of architecture using natural stone.

The architects clad the buildings’ exterior walls with polygonal natural stone slabs. Their shape is intended to reflect the tearing of the earth’s surface caused by the earthquake.

At the same time, the many colours of the stones appear vibrant – creating a touch of cheerfulness.

“We wanted to ‘honour the victims, whilst also giving hope to the survivors and providing them with a beautiful living space’,” said Lü Cheng during his presentation.

The starting point for the overall design of the site in the former town centre of Longtoushan Town was a single eucalyptus tree that had survived the disaster that had struck the surrounding area.

It now stands at the centre of a circle, and a line extends from it to the imaginary time 16.30, when the earthquake struck.

A flight of steps leading downhill is intended to symbolise the “Great Crack“ in the earth’s surface; it leads towards a bell tower with a distinctive shape.

These are the memories of the memories of the sacrifice, a tourism center, and the large park, and of new living areas.

Also, there is a pond where children can play – its often smooth surface has a peaceful feel to it and stands in stark contrast to the memory of the disaster and the months of reconstruction.