Yue Mansion, Gujing

The Yue Mansions Community Center is located in Jiangmen, Guangdong, China. Based upon the east but developed upon the west, it incorporates both Song Aestheticism and Western Minimalism into a unique Chinese style. Intersecting masses make up the interface of the building and emphasize the congruence of form and function. The composition of volume indicates the designer's modernist thought in terms of architectural logic. Details, such as the texture and tones, implicate the Song Aestheticism: "the most complexity lies in simplicity". Light and shadows form spiritual spaces. The translucent box at the top of the building, which introduces natural light in softly, create a gallery-like atmosphere together with the wall’s diffuse reflection in the exhibition part of the community center. When rambling in the community center, three layers of courtyards will show variable scenery and provide activity spaces with Song Aestheticism. The first one is the Dormancy of Water, which is a show of lights and shadows. Tranquil water in the courtyard incorporates building with nature. It reflects a virtual third space, blurring the boundary of building, landscape, and nature. After that, the Skylight Atrium shaped by the rectangle and round symbols comes into the sight light. It is enclosed by four walls in a traditional Chinese layout form, indicating an introvert culture value and reserved spirit. The last one is the Zen Garden. Cornices stretch horizontally and show the beauty of Song Aestheticism. Transparent glass eliminates the separation of indoor and outdoor. Sand and rocks imitate the scene when water flows through mountains. Zen Garden is connected with the second one by a moon gate. Their landscapes interpenetrate into each other and make up a successive scenery as people moving.