Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli by Cheng Sun, Dagang Qu and Xi Huang

Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli by Cheng Sun, Dagang Qu and Xi Huang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli in Callitic Tlacauhtli ihuan Tlanextilizpan Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

TepoztliCallitic· 2026

Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli

by Cheng Sun, Dagang Qu and Xi Huang

Client: Harbin Institute of Technology Sun Cheng Young Scientist Studio

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli Winner in Callitic Category

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The Design

About Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli

Lilac Reborn ce tlahtolmoyahualoyan tlen omochiuh ica moyancuilih ce calcahualli cochihualoyan ompa Harbin, China. Inin tlachihualiztli oquiselih iyolteohuiliz itech xochitl lilac tlen ompa mochantia. Ome nechicoloyan quichihuah in iyollo: in Lilac Hall, ica tonalmeyotl huan ce atl tlachihualli, huan in Regeneration Hall, tlen omochiuh ica tlachihualtepalcatl tlen occepa omocuih. Ome hueyi calihtic tlapoyahualoyan quihualhuicah tonalmeyotl itech nahpoalli huan matlactli ome ipan ce ciento (92%) in tequitiloyan. Omocuih tepalcatl occepa cualli, cuahcualli tlatotonilcahualiztli huamitl huan tlapalli tlen quimalhuia in tlalnantli. Tepamitl tlen huel moliniah quicahuah in caltin ma mocuepacan temachtiloyan ahnozo tequitiloyan.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli

Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli, tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in cualli dizayno in quitlalia in tlen monequi ipan tequitl ihuan tlachihualiztli in quimaca in cualli tlachihualli. In quicuicah Tepoztli quinextia in hueyi tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ihuelitiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli ca tlazohtli, mahuiztic, yancuic ihuan motequiuhtia. Ni dizayno in quicuic Tepoztli quihuelitia in tlamatiliztli ihuan quipia chicahualiztli tlen tepoztli. Lilac Reborn Ical Tlahtolmoyahualiztli Itech Calihtic Tlachihualiztli quicualtia in nemiliztli ihuan quihuelitia in cemanahuac ica cualli.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This project renovates an abandoned hotel into a media center within a tight budget, marking a first for ultra-low-energy renovation in a frigid region. Drawing on the metaphor of media flowers blooming in a palace, two core shared spaces were designed: the Lilac Hall, featuring natural light and a water feature, and the Regeneration Hall, built with recycled construction waste. Dual atriums ensure indoor warmth and brightness while meeting the three-star green building standard and LEED Platinum requirements.
Dimensions & Packaging: Total area: 7,000 square meters
Tags: Building renewal, Computational design, Media office building, Designer-AI collaborative design
Production Technology: AI computational design was used to optimize spatial curvature, and same-source recycling technology achieved resource reuse. Fifteen ultra-low-energy technologies were integrated, such as enhanced thermal insulation and passive daylighting. Building performance simulation verified a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption and an improvement in the useful daylight illuminance index. Modular assembly was adopted using recycled concrete, high-performance insulation panels, and eco-friendly coatings.
Design Challenge: The core challenge was realizing ultra-low-energy renovation of an old building in frigid Harbin, while balancing historical fabric preservation, media hub functional demands, and the implementation of AI-driven collaborative design. External Obstacles: Sparse technical data on the renewal of old buildings in cold regions, insufficient low-temperature resistance of recycled materials, and strict fire codes restricting structural modifications. Internal Conflicts: Bridging the gap between AI design and traditional construction practices, and reconciling public accessibility (for media lounges) with the need for closed office spaces. Solutions: Adopted multi-objective optimization + BIM technology, customized thermal insulation systems, recycled material modification, and the TOPSIS method to balance regulatory requirements, performance indicators, and functional needs.
Research: This applied research explores AI-driven ultra-low-energy renovation for old buildings in frigid climates. Using deep learning and multi-objective optimization, the study balanced historical preservation with media function requirements. Tools including BIM and on-site sensors verified the results. The project achieved 25 percent lower energy consumption and natural light coverage for 92 percent of the building. This validates the application of computational design in urban renewal, supporting carbon goals and setting a benchmark for smart, green infrastructure in cold regions.
Inspiration: Inspired by the lilac of Harbin, this project focuses on the green renewal of abandoned buildings. It addresses the gap in ultra-low-energy renovation for regions with temperatures reaching minus 30 degrees Celsius. Driven by the demand for shared media spaces, it integrates local culture with eco-technologies. Through artificial intelligence computational design and same-source recycling of construction debris, the project reflects a vision of a green, tech-driven, and art-integrated media hub.
Project Duration: Duration: 2023~2025;
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Operation Flow: The media hub is fully accessible to the public. Visitors enter the Lilac Hall for social gatherings, media displays, or community events. Natural light illuminates 92 percent of functional areas year-round, significantly reducing artificial lighting needs. The specialized insulation system maintains a comfortable indoor temperature of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius even when it is minus 30 degrees Celsius outside. Modular spaces can be rearranged into lecture halls or workstations using simple movable partitions.
Team Members: Studio Director: Cheng Sun
Lead Architect: Dagang Qu
Architect: Xi Huang
Architect: Xiufeng Li
Architect: Yue Wang
Architect: Wanying Zheng
Architect: Xumiao Guo
Architect: Jian Zhang
Interior Designer: Guoliang Xu
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Dagang Qu (CMG Project Team), Media Hub Renovation, 2025.
Image #2: Photographer Dagang Qu (CMG Project Team), Lilac Media Hub and Office Space, 2025.
Image #3: Photographer Dagang Qu (CMG Project Team), Lilac Media Hub Transportation Core, 2025.
Image #4: Photographer Dagang Qu (CMG Project Team), Lilac Waterscape Bar Transformed, 2025.
Image #5: Photographer Xi Huang (CMG Project Team), Regeneration Hall (recycled construction waste), 2025.