Bronze Print and Published Media Design · 2024
Hui House Limited Edition Artbook
by Yumeng Li
- A' Design Award 2024 Bronze Winner in Print and Published Media Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Pear and Mulberry
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 67,500
- Verification code 93B4A39375 · Verify this award
About Hui House Limited Edition Artbook
This art book depicts Hui-style architecture, the only architectural school that combined southern and northern Chinese design principles, now a vanishing yet important part of China's cultural heritage. Through innovative page design featuring windows that offer a transition from 2D illustrations to an immersive 3D Hui-style culture landscape, revealing architectural details with spatial reference, acting as a visual plea attracting boarder audiences for the conservation of Hui-style architecture.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This limited edition art book depicts Hui-style architecture, the only ancient architectural school that fuses southern lofted structures with northern courtyard layouts, a fading heritage in China. The "windows" of each page transform 2D views into a delicate 3D Hui-style panorama, “unveiling” not only architectural details with spatial reference and proportionality but also the research of Hui houses from the misty Huizhou region, an appeal to protecting Hui-style residential architecture.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Limited edition;
Format: 280 mm x 25 mm x 216 mm;
Butterfly binding, half frame wire binding insert, die cutting;
Artistic texture 160g matte paper, 100g acetate paper, 96g sulfuric acid paper;
Silk-screen printing, UV printing - Tags
- Art book, Limited edition, Heritage Preservation, Hui-Style Architecture, 3D Visual Print, International Association of Hui Art Studies, Cultural Heritage Advocacy, Architectural Archaeology
- Production Technology
- 3D slicing transforms traditional 2D images into immersive 3D panoramas of Hui-style architecture. The acetate fiber printing enhances the visual depth and clarity, forming interactive "windows" that detail the spatial reference with proportions of Hui-style buildings. Those innovative approaches allow for a dynamic exploration of architectural details and spatial relationships, which offers a unique educational and exhibitive tool for preserving and understanding architectural heritage.
- Design Challenge
- Research indicates that Hui studies, as one of only three prominent local scholarly traditions in China, face risks due to its inland geographical and historical contexts.
Field research shows that Hui architecture as a crucial cultural heritage is fading: Neglect, poor maintenance, and auctions are causing Hui architectural groups to vanish from the misty Huangshan and collective memory. Also, its construction skills, the core intangible cultural heritage, are nearing extinction. - Project Duration
- Launched in Jan 2023 in Boston, prototype bound in Suzhou, China. The project finished in Oct 2023, and was exhibited in HuiZhou Museum, and Bengbu Museum, China.
- Operation Flow
- Upon first glance, a see-through window channel from the cover to the back attracts readers to Hui-style architecture. As pages turn, iconic sections with narratives and extended details lead readers to a self-paced tour through the building. Layered pages allow users to pause between two sections to observe spatial relationships and different perspectives. This interaction makes ancient, intricate concepts accessible and engaging, fostering a profound impact on spreading Hui cultural heritage.
- Research
- Hui-style architecture was selected as a focal theme of the Hui cultural heritage conservation project to enhance public awareness and invigorate Hui culture, as it embodies both the tangible heritage of habitats and the intangible heritage of construction techniques. Based on architectural analysis, the Hui style is China's sole architectural tradition that merges southern loft structures with northern courtyards, an increasingly scarce but essential part of the Chinese cultural fabric.
- Inspiration
- This project describes Hui-style architecture, capturing the atmospheric visual elements of the Hui region settlements under the mists at the foot of the Yellow Mountains, drawing formative inspiration from the Hui architecture's penetrating layout with white walls and black tiles as structural and style motifs.
Unfolding the layers of artistic and cultural forms and structures of Hui houses, thereby showcasing the minimalist aesthetic but also engaging readers in a spatial learning journey.
Colors of Hui House Limited Edition Artbook
Design Interview about Hui House Limited Edition Artbook
The inspiration for my design stems from the cultural landscape and traditional architectural construction of Hui-style residences in my hometown, China's sole architectural tradition that merges southern loft structures with northern courtyards, a fading heritage verifying the integration between the Central Plains civilization and the ancient Yue culture. The axial symmetry and sectional expansion structures have primarily inspired the design for this limited-edition art book.
Currently, Hui architectural groups are becoming a fading heritage due to neglect, and poor maintenance, resulting in a risk of vanishing from the misty landscapes of Huangshan and collective memory. This book is a tool for cross-generational education and exhibition, commemorating and maintaining this cultural heritage.
Currently, Hui architectural groups are becoming a fading heritage due to neglect, and poor maintenance, resulting in a risk of vanishing from the misty landscapes of Huangshan and collective memory. This book is a tool for cross-generational education and exhibition, commemorating and maintaining this cultural heritage.
The primary focus is to properly inherit and promote Huizhou cultural heritage, with Hui-style residentials serving as a focal point that embodies both the tangible and intangible heritages of habitats and construction techniques.
By including unique visual and experiential elements in the book design, we hope to engage a larger audience to appreciate and comprehend the exterior visuals and extraordinary interior structural logic of this endangered architectural legacy.
By including unique visual and experiential elements in the book design, we hope to engage a larger audience to appreciate and comprehend the exterior visuals and extraordinary interior structural logic of this endangered architectural legacy.
We aim to attract a broader range of worldwide educational institutions and museums, through appreciation for Hui-style structures to improve public knowledge and conservation efforts for Hui cultural heritage, boosting cultural diversity and innovation.
Recently, professors at local institutions introduced this book to students in Huizhou about their cultural roots, fostering a strong sense of community identification and continuity. The book has also been featured in mediator-led museum exhibitions and rare book collections at university libraries and college art departments.
Recently, professors at local institutions introduced this book to students in Huizhou about their cultural roots, fostering a strong sense of community identification and continuity. The book has also been featured in mediator-led museum exhibitions and rare book collections at university libraries and college art departments.
My profound appreciation for the rich cultural and historical significance of Hui-style architecture inspired the book's design and style. It serves as a tribute to this unique architectural style, aiming to encapsulate its aesthetic and structural essence.
This book is for a broad audience interested in Hui culture and architecture. The book offers precise Hui-style residential details for museum educators and academic scholars who major in art, archaeology, cultural studies, and history related to Asian humanities. Simultaneously, it serves enthusiasts and visitors of all ages who are keen to learn about Chinese cultural and architectural heritage, as well as the traditional building techniques of the Hui style.
Our design stands out through its unique construction, utilizing transparent acetate pages combined with matte paper to form in-depth "windows" that can be seen through from cover to back. These allow for a natural transformation from 2D views to a 3D panorama of Hui-style architecture when pages are layered.
Furthermore, the use of half-page sulfuric acid paper booklets smartly segments chapters without obstructing the view through the acetate, maintaining the tactile feel of the paper and easing the transition between sections. Enhanced visual contrasts, such as tailored color schemes for cultural landscapes and silhouette inversions, alongside specific architectural motifs related to Huizhou's misty climate, amplify the visual effects.
Furthermore, the use of half-page sulfuric acid paper booklets smartly segments chapters without obstructing the view through the acetate, maintaining the tactile feel of the paper and easing the transition between sections. Enhanced visual contrasts, such as tailored color schemes for cultural landscapes and silhouette inversions, alongside specific architectural motifs related to Huizhou's misty climate, amplify the visual effects.
The name "Hui House" not only encapsulates the immersive experience of the human activities reflected in these traditional Hui residential clusters but also embodies the educational purpose of preserving the intangible heritage of Hui-style construction techniques. Additionally, the name phonetically resembles the word for "gathering together," symbolizing the union of family, which is a central theme in the grand familial residences of Huizhou. This title highlights the importance of family in Huizhou culture and underscores the urgent need to preserve this ancient, fading heritage from disappearing into the mists of Huangshan and collective memory.
The most unique aspect is its integration of physical and visual interactivity: depth-layered illustrations on acetate fiber paper transform flat pages into a three-dimensional experience, which allows readers to explore Hui-style architectural details and spatial relationships in a new way, experiencing the spatial aesthetics from multiple angles and depths.
This project involved collaboration with masters in Hui-style architecture, particularly the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage in traditional residential construction techniques and woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving. Besides, we worked closely with scholars specializing in ancient Chinese architecture, local historians who were the editors of regional chronicles, and printing experts. Each team member brought valuable technical expertise and deep knowledge from their respective fields.
Technology is critical for producing new designs and accurate spatial intricacies of Hui-style buildings using structural analysis and other data. It allows us to share this historic cultural treasure in an instructive style that readers may explore at their own pace.
Yes, extensive architectural research and on-site surveys are the cornerstone of the project's success, which included digital heritage methodologies such as Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM). The depth-layered images were properly sliced from the models, allowing for the dynamic study of architectural features and spatial relationships, providing a more authentic cultural experience.
One of the most difficult tasks was converting the complex notion of Hui-style building into a physical and exhibitive educational tool that is comprehensive yet attractive. This requires original design and precise execution, resulting in an interactive and unique experience throughout every page-turning.
The decision was motivated by a desire to gain international recognition for Hui architectural heritage and to showcase the potential of design as a medium for cultural preservation.
This project deepened my understanding of cultural preservation challenges and enhanced my skills to merge digital heritage concepts with contemporary design practices, enriching new mediums of natural and cultural heritage conservation.
I would like to highlight the broader cultural and educational impact of this project, which goes beyond mere architectural appreciation to fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and history.
I hope you've enjoyed exploring my work and found it insightful! More related topics and in-depth research about Hui culture will be updated by the non-profit organization: iHui ( the International Association of Hui Art & Studies) at http://www.ihui.org/.
I hope you've enjoyed exploring my work and found it insightful! More related topics and in-depth research about Hui culture will be updated by the non-profit organization: iHui ( the International Association of Hui Art & Studies) at http://www.ihui.org/.
Grand Interview about Hui House Limited Edition Artbook
The decision to incorporate 3D slicing and acetate fiber printing arose from my desire to bridge the gap between traditional documentation and an immersive, interactive experience. Hui architecture has a layered visual complexity that I felt deserved an equally layered presentation. The 3D slicing effect enabled the conversion of flat, two-dimensional images into panoramic views, allowing readers to explore spatial depths as if they were walking through Hui structures themselves. Meanwhile, acetate fiber printing amplified clarity and depth, creating “windows” into each architectural scene, bringing Hui architecture’s intricate layering and spatial dynamics to life in a way that static imagery couldn’t achieve.
The “window channel” design was inspired by the core principles of Hui architecture itself—balance and integration with the natural surroundings. By transforming 2D illustrations into 3D scenes, this storytelling method invites readers to experience the interconnected spaces of Hui houses in a tactile way. These “windows” introduce the notion of perspective, depth, and spatial continuity, echoing the symbiosis between Hui buildings and the surrounding landscape. This design element enhances the reader's understanding by simulating the architectural flow and spatial rhythm, making it a visceral journey through a typical Hui residential environment.
Researching the fusion of southern lofted structures and northern courtyard layouts helped me frame the artbook’s narrative, allowing for a visual representation that honors both structural components. The architectural storytelling gradually introduces readers to the axial symmetry and sectional design, mirroring the way a visitor would experience these elements in real life. This approach emphasizes the unique juxtaposition in Hui design, merging openness with containment, which became a visual metaphor for the cultural synthesis that defines Hui architecture.
Collaborating with the International Association of Hui Art Studies was instrumental in grounding the project in authenticity and extending its cultural reach. This partnership provided access to specialized knowledge about Hui construction techniques and cultural context, allowing the artbook to go beyond visuals and convey the architectural philosophy of Hui structures. Their support enriched the project, both in content accuracy and in reaching audiences that value cultural preservation, giving the artbook a role in the broader advocacy for Hui architectural heritage.
The choice of artistic texture paper and acetate paper was deliberate, each material chosen to evoke the atmosphere of Hui-style architecture. Acetate, in particular, represents the gradual spatial unfolding characteristic of Hui dwellings, evoking the fog-laden atmosphere of the Hui region. This combination gives readers a tangible sense of Hui architecture’s material qualities and historical resonance, enhancing sensory engagement with each turn of the page.
The layered page design creates natural pauses, encouraging readers to explore the architecture and appreciate each spatial relationship as they move forward. This experience mirrors the sense of discovery one might feel while wandering through a Hui residence, with its intricate and inviting layout. By revealing architectural details in stages, this design element not only preserves but also makes Hui construction techniques engaging and memorable, fostering a deeper appreciation for these traditional methods.
Balancing documentation with emotional engagement was a primary challenge. By combining precise architectural details with a narrative that captures the cultural symbolism of Hui architecture, I aimed to elicit an emotional response that would resonate with readers beyond aesthetics. The interactive aspects, tactile elements, and visual storytelling rooted in cultural traditions and folklore insights come together to create an experience that evokes the legacy of Hui heritage, aiming to inspire readers to consider the value and fragility of such cultural treasures.
The exhibitions at HuiZhou Museum and Bengbu Museum have played a critical role in endorsing Hui architectural heritage, providing a professional and accurate validation of its cultural and educational significance. This recognition certifies the artbook as an effective tool for educating children, architecture enthusiasts, and those with an interest in Hui and ancient architectural traditions. Looking ahead, we aim to enhance the exhibition’s reach and appeal by focusing on its artistic qualities and universal themes, considering how best to communicate these characteristics to a broader audience. This next phase involves exploring ways to expand the artbook’s influence, making Hui architecture accessible to a wider international community, helping it serve as both an educational tool and a call to action for preserving Hui architectural heritage, fostering an understanding that will hopefully inspire further conservation efforts.
I envision the Hui House Artbook as a model for preserving other vanishing architectural traditions. By highlighting the value of experiential, visually dynamic documentation, I hope this approach will encourage similar preservation efforts for other cultural heritages facing neglect. Ideally, it will inspire initiatives that blend traditional heritage with innovative design, creating accessible yet impactful educational tools for cultural conservation.
The butterfly binding and half-frame wire binding insert serve to elevate the reader’s tactile experience, aligning with the book’s narrative on Hui architecture’s structural continuity. This binding choice allows the book to open widely and maintain flat, uninterrupted views across pages, reinforcing the immersive quality. It supports the journey through Hui architectural space, where readers can easily switch perspectives, simulating a spatial exploration similar to moving through connected rooms within a Hui residence. This interaction further cements the cultural and architectural integrity of the Hui style within the reader’s experience.