Great (Bamboo) Wall by Kengo Kuma & Associates

 The Great (Bamboo) Wall House is a handsome and successful exploration of the possibilities that lie ahead for new forms of dwellings on the Chinese mainland. Kengo Kuma chose to leave the original geographical features intact and use locally produced materials as much as possible.

Departing from the 20th century suburban practice of building on flattened land and instead celebrating the site’s “intricate undulation,” the architect decided to build a different kind of wall. This main feature, made of bamboo, serves as a filter for the surroundings. In sharp contrast to the Great Wall’s brick and stone, a material manifestation of severing ties with outside civilizations, bamboo’s charm lies in its weakness. Exploiting this aspect, the wall allows light and wind to pass through. Historically imported to Japan from China, bamboo is also a symbol of cultural exchange, and perfectly suits the work of a Japanese architect in China. Indoors, the material encloses the stairwell and living spaces to great effect. Positioned side by side at varying intervals, bamboo shoots seem to hover above the floor, creating breezy, floating partitions. The Eastern simplicity of the décor creates an ethereal, meditative atmosphere informed by subtle changes in the weather and landscape.