The China National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing was designed by the Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University Co., Ltd. (THAD). Zhuang Weimin, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, led the project in 2019.
The project sits at the foot of Yanshan Mountain, a scenic area nicknamed the “Xanadu of Northern Beijing”. Professor Zhuang and his team transformed an abandoned quarry into the environmentally-friendly buildings we see today.
The China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which contains historical records dating back thousands of years, melds seamlessly with its environment, creating a functional cultural destination that fuses heritage with contemporaneity.
An aerial view of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture ©THAD
Professor Zhuang’s team figured out suitable measures for local conditions by carrying out ecological restoration, which created both cultural and ecological value and brought the development philosophy of the new era into practice.
South-north main axis ©THAD
East-west secondary axis ©THAD
A courtyard layout was adopted to demonstrate the country’s majesty and grandeur. The whole building complex is axisymmetric with an exposed north side. The courtyard style satisfies requirements of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture for cultural exchanges, exhibitions, and collection and research.
Wenhua Hall ©THAD
The design highlights the openness and modernity of the buildings through modern materials and techniques, while also featuring the uprightness, elegance, simplicity and majesty of traditional cultural architecture.
Wenhan Pavilion ©THAD
All conservation and storage spaces are connected to form a whole, ensuring smooth transportation, processing and preservation. The design meets requirements for waterproofing, moisture resistance, flood prevention, seismic resistance, security, civil air defense and other various aspects to high standards to guarantee the safety of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture.
The Wenxing Building, the Wenhua Hall and the Wenhan Pavilion have different functional divisions.
Wenxing Building ©THAD
Wenhua Hall ©THAD
Wenhan Pavilion ©THAD
The Wenxing Building is the entrance hall of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture and the preface hall of a series of exhibitions.
Lobby of Wenxing Building ©THAD
The Wenhua Hall is the main exhibition venue of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture. At the center of the Wenhua Hall is the National Study. More than 30,000 classic books from ancient and modern times are kept here.
National Study ©THAD
Ceiling pattern of National Study ©THAD
A themed exhibition occupies the first three floors of Wenhan Pavilion. At the top is the octagonal caisson ceiling that draws on the pattern of the flower stem of persimmon fruits. It presents the magnificent scene of the vast galaxy, to imply the profoundness of Chinese civilization.
Wenhan Hall ©THAD
Cultural Gallery ©THAD
The China National Archives of Publications and Culture integrates the natural environment and cultural landscapes through modern materials and techniques to create a cultural landmark with strong Chinese characteristics.
It is the general repository of national archival resources and the bank of Chinese cultural seeds. It is also a collection, exhibition, research and exchange center.
Editor: Li Han
