Interview about Hui House Limited Edition Artbook , winner of the A' Print and Published Media Design Award 2024
This art book depicts Hui-style architecture, the only architectural school that combined southern and northern Chinese design principles, now a vanishing yet important part of China's cultural heritage. Through innovative page design featuring windows that offer a transition from 2D illustrations to an immersive 3D Hui-style culture landscape, revealing architectural details with spatial reference, acting as a visual plea attracting boarder audiences for the conservation of Hui-style architecture.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe decision to incorporate 3D slicing and acetate fiber printing arose from my desire to bridge the gap between traditional documentation and an immersive, interactive experience. Hui architecture has a layered visual complexity that I felt deserved an equally layered presentation. The 3D slicing effect enabled the conversion of flat, two-dimensional images into panoramic views, allowing readers to explore spatial depths as if they were walking through Hui structures themselves. Meanwhile, acetate fiber printing amplified clarity and depth, creating “windows” into each architectural scene, bringing Hui architecture’s intricate layering and spatial dynamics to life in a way that static imagery couldn’t achieve.
The “window channel” design was inspired by the core principles of Hui architecture itself—balance and integration with the natural surroundings. By transforming 2D illustrations into 3D scenes, this storytelling method invites readers to experience the interconnected spaces of Hui houses in a tactile way. These “windows” introduce the notion of perspective, depth, and spatial continuity, echoing the symbiosis between Hui buildings and the surrounding landscape. This design element enhances the reader's understanding by simulating the architectural flow and spatial rhythm, making it a visceral journey through a typical Hui residential environment.
Researching the fusion of southern lofted structures and northern courtyard layouts helped me frame the artbook’s narrative, allowing for a visual representation that honors both structural components. The architectural storytelling gradually introduces readers to the axial symmetry and sectional design, mirroring the way a visitor would experience these elements in real life. This approach emphasizes the unique juxtaposition in Hui design, merging openness with containment, which became a visual metaphor for the cultural synthesis that defines Hui architecture.
Collaborating with the International Association of Hui Art Studies was instrumental in grounding the project in authenticity and extending its cultural reach. This partnership provided access to specialized knowledge about Hui construction techniques and cultural context, allowing the artbook to go beyond visuals and convey the architectural philosophy of Hui structures. Their support enriched the project, both in content accuracy and in reaching audiences that value cultural preservation, giving the artbook a role in the broader advocacy for Hui architectural heritage.
The choice of artistic texture paper and acetate paper was deliberate, each material chosen to evoke the atmosphere of Hui-style architecture. Acetate, in particular, represents the gradual spatial unfolding characteristic of Hui dwellings, evoking the fog-laden atmosphere of the Hui region. This combination gives readers a tangible sense of Hui architecture’s material qualities and historical resonance, enhancing sensory engagement with each turn of the page.
The layered page design creates natural pauses, encouraging readers to explore the architecture and appreciate each spatial relationship as they move forward. This experience mirrors the sense of discovery one might feel while wandering through a Hui residence, with its intricate and inviting layout. By revealing architectural details in stages, this design element not only preserves but also makes Hui construction techniques engaging and memorable, fostering a deeper appreciation for these traditional methods.
Balancing documentation with emotional engagement was a primary challenge. By combining precise architectural details with a narrative that captures the cultural symbolism of Hui architecture, I aimed to elicit an emotional response that would resonate with readers beyond aesthetics. The interactive aspects, tactile elements, and visual storytelling rooted in cultural traditions and folklore insights come together to create an experience that evokes the legacy of Hui heritage, aiming to inspire readers to consider the value and fragility of such cultural treasures.
The exhibitions at HuiZhou Museum and Bengbu Museum have played a critical role in endorsing Hui architectural heritage, providing a professional and accurate validation of its cultural and educational significance. This recognition certifies the artbook as an effective tool for educating children, architecture enthusiasts, and those with an interest in Hui and ancient architectural traditions. Looking ahead, we aim to enhance the exhibition’s reach and appeal by focusing on its artistic qualities and universal themes, considering how best to communicate these characteristics to a broader audience. This next phase involves exploring ways to expand the artbook’s influence, making Hui architecture accessible to a wider international community, helping it serve as both an educational tool and a call to action for preserving Hui architectural heritage, fostering an understanding that will hopefully inspire further conservation efforts.
I envision the Hui House Artbook as a model for preserving other vanishing architectural traditions. By highlighting the value of experiential, visually dynamic documentation, I hope this approach will encourage similar preservation efforts for other cultural heritages facing neglect. Ideally, it will inspire initiatives that blend traditional heritage with innovative design, creating accessible yet impactful educational tools for cultural conservation.
The butterfly binding and half-frame wire binding insert serve to elevate the reader’s tactile experience, aligning with the book’s narrative on Hui architecture’s structural continuity. This binding choice allows the book to open widely and maintain flat, uninterrupted views across pages, reinforcing the immersive quality. It supports the journey through Hui architectural space, where readers can easily switch perspectives, simulating a spatial exploration similar to moving through connected rooms within a Hui residence. This interaction further cements the cultural and architectural integrity of the Hui style within the reader’s experience.
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