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The co-founders and chief architects of the Beijing based practice Atelier Alter Architects, Xiaojun Bu (pictured below right) and Yingfan Zhang, both hold architecture qualifications from Harvard University among others, and set up their practice together in New York in 2009. They told World Architecture News that they are inspired not only by “beautiful, perfect designs, but courageous, innovative designs with a challenging spirit”.
The practice is currently working on projects that include an energy-saving office and factory cluster for a solar energy company and the Tibetan Medicine Museum in Xining, designed to exhibit the spirit and culture of China's leading Tibetan medicine producer.
Read on to discover the pair’s favourite recent projects.
Qujing History Museum, Qujing, China
"Inaugurated in 2012, this project brought us valuable attention when we were still unknown. It is still an important landmark in the city of Qujing. The building was inspired by the famous terraced landforms of the region, with a 32 meter cantilever forming a huge canopy. The upwardly mobile and positive form was well received by the local people. It was a huge engineering challenge at the time, with the complex structure finally installed by a ship manufacturer."
Wuli-epoch Culture Center, Beijing, China
"This year is the tenth anniversary of our practice’s first completed project in Beijing. Located at the foot of Beijing's famous Fragrant Hills, the building is formed by a series of winding ramps that are revolutionary, allowing visitors to walk from the ground up to the roof without restriction to enjoy Beijing's Fragrant Hills. At the same time the spatial form of the penetrating space allows for the interior to fully express the magnificence of the mountains."
Sunner Museum, Fujian, China
“An industrial museum in the middle of the mountains. The project grows out of the landscape in three volumes, creating a building where the landscape and the building are one. We led the design of the architecture, landscape, interior, and exhibitions, and the owner was so excited by the project that the local government started a 17-kilometer industrial tourism route.”
Wuhan Sino-French Eco-City Culture and Sports Center, Wuhan, China
“This cultural and sports center is located in the ancient cultural city of Wuhan, right on the edge of the Wetland Park facing the city. We turned the roof into part of a landscaped jogging system, allowing visitors to not only use the indoor stadium, opera house, exhibition halls, and science and technology museums, but also enjoy the full view of the Wetland Park from the top of the building. The project was awarded through a competition and we were honored with the first Wuhan Responsible Architect title.”
Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum, Xiamen, China
"Completed in 2019, the project consists of a series of towers of light that form the exhibition space. It’s loved by locals and tourists."