West-Line Studio presented Bing’an Red Memorial in the 3rd China Design Exhibition and Public Art Thematic Exhibition. The project appeared under “Quality Space — Encounter”.
Under the theme “New Era, New Life”, the exhibition ran from 11 January to 6 April 2019 at Shenzhen’s museum of contemporary art and urban planning. The presentation follows the project through its site, the old town, commemorative space and timber craftsmanship.
Site — latent in the past
The memorial is located in Bing’an, an old town beside the Chishui River. The exhibition panel explains that the former name, Bing’an market, referred to Bingtan, a major rapid on the Sichuan–Guizhou route. It dates the settlement’s establishment to the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty, giving 1601, and records a population of approximately 700. The town served as a commercial wharf and military stronghold controlling river transport and linking overland routes through Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan.
Old town — market
Steep riverbanks leave little level ground for streets. Constrained by this terrain and shaped by its role on the trading and salt-transport route, the old town developed its own distinctive form. The memorial remains latent within the dense buildings of that setting.
Memorial — an atmosphere of light
Closely spaced timber elements create an extremely dense spatial atmosphere. Light descending through the building is deliberately emphasised; transparency between timber strips extends the apparent space and softens the control of the original structural frame. Through the interaction of dense timber and light, the interior develops a sequence of bright, dark and suggestive scenes, evoking a revolutionary memory.
Experience — timber craftsmanship
The building uses the local tradition of timber construction, allowing the memorial to remain concealed among old timber houses. The interior’s dense timber members contrast with the more familiar structural frame outside. The principal timber is Chinese fir, readily available locally. Its components recall everyday beams, columns, purlins and boards. Mortise-and-tenon joints connect the timber; the outer wall build-up described on the panel comprises 12 mm plywood and a 30 mm insulation layer, with reclaimed timber cladding on the exterior.
