2025 | Professional

French Design Awards Platinum Winner

The Timeless Grace of Eastern Carving

Entrant

Meng Zhao, Meng Zhang

Category

Interior Design - Cultural

Client's Name

Beijing Mammoth Ivory Carving Factory Co.,Ltd.

Country / Region

China

The Mammoth Ivory Carving Exhibition Center stands as a modern testament to the blend of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and contemporary design. Situated in the heart of Beijing’s bustling second-ring road, this comprehensive cultural hub merges exhibition, sales, conference, and office spaces into a unified experience that celebrates China’s rich artistic heritage while embracing sustainable, modern principles.

The facade draws inspiration from classic Chinese architectural elements: the Oriental Crown and Imperial Lanterns. The Oriental Crown is expressed through a roof structure resembling traditional dougong brackets, paired with exquisitely crafted copper work that conveys a sense of grandeur. The imperial lantern is a traditional cultural symbol of Chinese palace lanterns. When night falls, the artistic sculptures can be seen through the transparent glass doors and windows, like beautiful scrolls printed on imperial lanterns. Rhythmic copper components form a visually layered artistic wall, behind which carved patterns representing the brand’s spirit subtly shift with the viewer’s angle.

The interior design is rooted in Chinese aesthetics, with traditional eaves and screen walls reinterpreted through a minimalist, modern lens, creating an elegant, layered atmosphere. The use of rich deep browns, grays, and beiges further enhances the cultural depth, providing a refined backdrop for the space. The exhibition hall, with its new-style flying eaves and floating staircases, draws inspiration from Chinese garden architecture, integrating indoor and outdoor elements and inviting visitors into an open, welcoming environment. The main exhibition area adopts the visual language of traditional Chinese shadow puppetry, presenting exhibits with a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The modular ceiling design in the conference room adds depth and formality to the space.

The project uses low-carbon materials and energy-efficient systems, successfully integrating traditional culture with modern sustainable architecture. This design provides a platform for the inheritance of traditional art and culture, promoting the continuation and development of Chinese traditional mammoth ivory carving art. It has become a beacon of sustainability and cultural communication, promoting global appreciation and recognition of traditional Chinese craft techniques and culture.

Credits

Meng Zhao
Meng Zhang
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