Architecture Asia Special Issue - ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2020

HONORABLE
MENTION
Nanjing Yuyuan Garden Restoration
Project
D-1
Conservation Projects
Architect:
Architects & Engineers Co., Ltd. Of Southeast University
Location:
Nanjing, China
Yuyuan Garden is located in the west of the Zhonghua Gate in Nanjing, which is part of the
historical district in the southern part of the city. When the project was planned and designed,
the landscape was in a seriously damaged state. All of the historical buildings are preserved,
the scale and form of the lake have been restored, the hills are maintained in their natural
state, and the main part of the garden has been restored to the original state of the garden
during the Kuang-Hsu period. The entire garden authentically reproduces the thirty-six scenes
of Yuyuan depicted in ancient books.
JURY CITATION: The most difficult part of historical architecture restoration is the huge works
of historical research, not only of the architectural forms and building technics but also of the
whole context of its transformation. This project is based on a very rigorous, detailed research
of the site and existing buildings, referring to old drawings and photos, showing the jury a clear
trace of how the design came about. The result is also satisfying, providing the citizens with a
traditional Chinese garden of peace in a modern inner city.
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