Articles by Xiaohang Hou

2020 and 2021 have proven to be seminal years for CLOU: One year after launching the Shanghai branch near the Bund, CLOU’s Beijing office has now expanded into sparkling new premises. Within the familiar surroundings of Sanlitun SOHO, the space has doubled in size to take up half a tower floorplate on the 17th floor, with a fully glazed facade offering sweeping views across Sanlitun and into the mountains of North Eastern Beijing.

The Ji Gu Cang Public Health Service Facility of Jia Ding District is a newly completed small house by Mur Mur Lab. The building is close to Lian Qi River of Jia Ding, which has been abandoned for a long time and was originally used as a water pump room. The finished building reintroduces the city’s public activities into the waterfront space and makes it a new center for local community activities.

There is a group of young Chinese architects that define themselves in their own unique way and inform the public about the “new generation” of architects. They do not adhere to the definition and break the regulations. They think what they think and do in accordance with their beliefs. Besides from just being architects, they are also artists, painters, sculptors, and researchers. Identity is no longer unique among the new generation; the way they work is determined by what they pursue; and remaining on the route they choose will lead them to a new direction and a new life.

Qionglai is part of Chengdu City, one of the four ancient cities of Bashu. In the development of more than 2,300 years, the city site has not changed, the culture has been passed down, and it is endless. In recent years, Qionglai City has adopted a district development model, taking the Wenmai Lane revival project as a demonstration, and vigorously implementing the urban renewal project. The higher pursuit of art. We are fortunate to build Qionglai’s first art museum, Qionglai Art Museum in the city. Because of the unique roof shape, “Chongluan Courtyard” has become the “nickname” we gave to Qionglai Art Museum. The building can be “seen” through the heavy mountain range, and when approaching the building, one can feel the long history when visitors approach the building. After entering the space, people could feel leisure, in addition, to strengthening the feeling of the context of culture.

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Paralympic Games have officially opened on February 4, 2022. The Winter Olympics made a brave move by adding two snow zones in Zhangjiakou and Yanqing to the ice zone in Beijing, creating an unprecedented three-zone system for the Winter Olympics. Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University (THAD), has led the planning and architectural design of the whole and all venues in Zhangjiakou Zone and Shougang Venue in Beijing Zone. Planning and Venue design for Yanqing Zone was elaborated by the China Architectural Design & Research Group. Chinese architects took the initiative to create while serving the principle of sustainable development and closely integrating architectural planning methodologies and architectural design during the approximately six-year construction cycle. They proposed the design framework of “full-scale spatial intervention” based on the ” General Plan – Regulatory Plan – Urban Design – Architecture Design – Equipment System Design,” completing the Chinese practice of sustainable Winter Olympics.

Daping Village, located in Tianquan County, Ya’an City of Sichuan Province, is a traditional village of farming practice with a moist and rainy clime. The Daping Village Kindergarten had its site planned near the Daping Village Central Primary School, whose separation from the ambient village prompted us to further reflect on the design vision— It is hoped that the kindergarten can break the boundaries, carry forward the village ethos, and reshape the emotional bond with the hometown.

Founded in 2014, NIO is an innovative electric automotive company focusing on high-performance products. It is also committed to the vision of a global user community by establishing “NIO House” around the world. After identifying a design benchmark with bigger flagships, the brand is ready to set foot in all cities. Lukstudio has been commissioned to create the first NIO House in Nanchang.

Hebei Hua’Ao hospital is an international and intelligent medical institution with the characteristics of trauma first aid and integrating the functions of medical treatment, rehabilitation science, and education. It will be put into use as a guaranteed project for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. The hospital takes “Everything for people’s health” as its service purpose. During the Winter Olympics, it mainly provides medical and transit services focusing on trauma first aid and critical care for athletes and tourists. As a supporting project for Zhangjiakou competition area of 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games, Hebei Hua’Ao hospital takes “snow ribbon” as the design concept and creates a new benchmark of “the most scientific and technological image” Medical Center for Zhangjiakou Winter Olympic competition area through “integrated design of architecture, landscape, and interior”, showing a diversified Olympic spirit and international standard medical treatment environment in the space, with a strong lineup to escort the Olympic athletes.