Peter Pichler Architecture Wins Massive Project Inspired by Vernacular Chinese Buildings

Peter Pichler Architecture has just announced a new megasized, traditioninspired project in China. The Milan-based architecture firm was awarded the project through an invited international competition.

Interestingly, the project is located in Taiping, a city in southwestern China known for the prominent historical event known as the 19thcentury Taiping rebellion. The city of Taiping is roughly 1,620 kilometers away from the capital city of Beijing and only 30 kilometers from Kunming.

The urban development is the first for Peter Pichler Architecture in China. Spanning an area of 100,000 square meters and housing several towers, the project comprises a boutique hotel, residential apartments, offices, retail options, parks, and parking lots.

Its wood façade is inspired by ancient vernacular Chinese architecture. Each tower has ellipseshaped rings on each of its floors. These rings change based on the orientation and program, according to the design firm.

Taking inspiration from the wellknown Chinese rice fields, the development brings together the surrounding woods with local parks to integrate the context into the project.

Peter Pichler Architecture also said that the use of bamboo on the towers’ residential balconies gives a closer feel of nature. Moreover, the towers enjoy green rooftops, which provide impressive views of the surrounding woods and nature of Taiping. However, the company did not disclose the estimated value of the project nor when it would be completed.

Despite being only twoandahalf years old, Peter Pichler Architecture has numerous projects across the world, including in its homeland, Italy, as well as in countries such as the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, and Tunisia.

Peter Pichler Architecture is also known for its 2014 project called the Mirror Houses, located just outside Bolzano, Italy. The Mirror Houses feature a pair of holiday homes situated amidst stunning natural scenery.

Meanwhile, the city of Taiping is more popularly known for the mid1800’s rebellion, when the Manchuled Qing dynasty fought against Christian millenarian movement of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The civil war or rebellion began in 1850 and ended in 1864.

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