Yan Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain by Guanyu Tao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Òir A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Ailtireachd, Togalaichean agus Structaran Competition Category.

ÒrAiltireachd· 2025

Yan Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain

by Guanyu Tao

Client: Gerry Tao

Duais Òir A' Design Award Winner in Ailtireachd Category

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Colors

The Design

About Yan Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain

Tha Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain Yan ag ath-mhìneachadh an dàimh eadar ailtireachd agus nàdar, a' frithealadh mar ionad cultarach a tha a' comharrachadh dualchas ionadail. Suidhichte ann an cruth-tìre garbh Rushan, Shandong, tha an dealbhadh dì-structarach aige a' tarraing brosnachaidh bho inneach cloiche agus cumaidhean sruthanach. Tha an taigh-tasgaidh a' gabhail a-steach ceàrnan air an cuairtich uisge, stiùideothan luchd-ealain, gailearaidhean beòthail, agus àiteachan coileanaidh, uile co-cheangailte thar ìrean. Tha cruadhtan inneach a' dèanamh atharrais air clach nàdarra, a' filleadh an structair a-steach gu rèidh leis an àrainneachd fhad 's a tha e ag atharrachadh a' chruth-tìre leathaid gu slighean gnìomhach agus ceàrnan.

The Recognition

About the Duais Òir A' Design Award

Tha Yan Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain air Duais Òir A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh anabarrach urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean den chiad ìre, mìorbhaileach agus sònraichte. Tha buannaichean Òir nan cruthachaidhean anabarrach ùr-ghnàthach, làn lèirsinn agus drùidhteach a nochdas gèinidh, gliocas agus comas an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Yan Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain na innleachd a gheibh moladh mòr, a stèidhicheas gluasadan agus mòr-chuimhneachain a bheir luach nach fhacas riamh roimhe. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Òir A' Design Award na phròiseact sònraichte, urramach a bhrosnaicheas crìochan ealain, saidheans, dealbhaidh agus teicneolais gu mòr. Bidh Yan Taigh-tasgaidh Ealain a' cruthachadh faireachdainnean làidir miann, a' dùsgadh dealas, a' brosnachadh cruthachalachd agus a' glacadh sinn.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Yan Art Museum is a cultural hub that harmonizes architecture with the rugged terrain of Rushan. Unlike traditional museums, it transforms natural slopes into functional elements like pathways, plazas, and viewing platforms. Its dynamic layout fosters interaction between visitors and local artists through integrated studios and galleries. With textured concrete echoing rocky formations, Yan seamlessly blends cultural expression, innovation, and environmental integration.
Dimensions & Packaging: Yan Art Museum is situated on a 2,700-square-meter site, with a total building area of 1,650 square meters distributed across three levels. The first floor features a courtyard-style entrance surrounded by scattered artist studios and galleries, creating an inviting and interactive environment. The second floor includes a small open plaza, a compact gallery space, and essential auxiliary facilities. The third floor houses an open-air theater designed for traditional Chinese performances, providing a cultural focal point while blending seamlessly with the natural terrain.
Tags: Architecture, Subterranean architecture, Rural architecture, Cultural architecture, Museum
Production Technology: Yan employs form board texture reinforced concrete, creating rock-like surfaces while ensuring structural stability during excavation. The design incorporates shallow-rooted plants in the landscaping to safeguard the building's structure and waterproofing. Its three interconnected levels, linked by stairs and elevators, are carefully oriented to harmonize with the site’s layout and ensure accessibility, blending functionality with thoughtful integration into the natural environment.
Design Challenge: Addressing the site's varied slopes was challenging. The design cleverly integrates the natural incline to facilitate plazas and pathways, turning elevation changes into advantageous viewing platforms. This strategic use of the landscape not only enhances functionality but also establishes visual corridors that accentuate the architectural form, allowing the building to blend seamlessly with its environment.
Research: Inspired by the deconstructivism movement and the works of Thom Mayne and Zaha Hadid, Yan Art Museum integrates seamlessly into Rushan’s rugged terrain. The research involved site, cultural, and user analysis, employing techniques such as hand-drawing and collage to explore design possibilities. Tools like Rhinoceros, Adobe Suite, and D5 Render were used to refine the dynamic structure, harmonizing architecture with topography and cultural identity while enhancing visitor experiences.
Inspiration: The design of Yan Art Museum stems from a deep desire to harmonize architecture with nature while engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the local culture of Rushan. Drawing inspiration from the rugged, dramatic landscape of the Rushan mountain range, the museum reflects the stony textures and flowing contours of the region. Through its loosely arranged, courtyard-style layout, the design pays homage to the organic forms of traditional Chinese villages, weaving cultural heritage into its spatial composition. This approach transforms natural and cultural elements into a dynamic hub for artistic and cultural expression. By intertwining natural forms with human creativity, the museum becomes both a tribute to and an extension of its surroundings, celebrating the beauty of the terrain and the spirit of the community it serves.
Project Duration: The concept design was finished in 2024 Sep, with site location at Shandong, Rushan, China.
Operation Flow: Upon entering Yan, visitors arrive at a plaza encircled by a pool and walls, leading to artist studios and the main gallery with rotating exhibits. An elevator and external stairs from the main gallery provide access to the second floor’s L-shaped plaza, which connects to the second gallery for permanent exhibitions. Visitors can ascend to the third floor via elevator or plaza stairs to reach the outdoor amphitheater, a venue for traditional performances.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Guanyu Tao, 2024
Team Members: Guanyu Tao
Image Credits: Image #1: Designer and Photo Rendering Guanyu Tao
Image #2: Designer and Photo Rendering Guanyu Tao
Image #3: Designer and Photo Rendering Guanyu Tao
Image #4: Designer and Photo Rendering Guanyu Tao
Image #5: Designer and Photo Rendering Guanyu Tao