About
"We works for present in the future." Various Associates’s design philosophy centers on rational optimization across architecture, space, products, and concepts, aiming to crafting an original and exciting experience. The studio engages in the design and research of high-quality, experimental projects. Starting with the programs of space, VA adopts forward-looking perspectives, conduct material research, employ open thinking, challenge conventions, and focus on details and refined quality to create unique value for each project. Every project crafted by Various Associates features its own distinct spatial identity. Additionally, as a collaborative platform for artists and designers, Various Associates seeks to merge creativity and technology to explore the past, present, and future, pushing the boundaries of design creation.
As a creative design studio, Various Associates continually explores and creates new possibilities. Its design services encompass commercial and retail spaces, F&B, exhibition spaces (for cities, enterprises, and cultural and fashion purposes), complexes, hotels, schools, public buildings, single-family houses, urban planning, and more. It strives to propose new solutions from fundamental and energy consumption perspectives, including material research, product R&D, and design. Cross-disciplinary cooperation remains a key direction for Various Associates. So far, it has won numerous prestigious international design awards, and its works have been frequently featured in various professional media outlets worldwide, including FRAME, Domus, Wallpaper, Archdaily, Designboom, and gooood, etc.
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Gong’s House
Location:Wenzhou, China
Client: Mr Gong
Project category:Architecture design/Interior design/landscape design/material development
Gong's House, designed by Various Associates, prioritizes functionality and comfort to address the real needs of the family. The design team has developed and incorporated localized building materials, integrating the urban lifestyle with the natural environment of the countryside, and offering a comfortable gathering and dwelling space for the family and their friends in the ancient village of Yongjia.
Amidst the misty drizzle, the waters and mountains of Jiangnan unfold as if they were ink paintings, creating a serene setting for Gong's House. Nestled in a village in northern Yongjia, Zhejiang, at the source of the Nanxi River, the house is embraced by peaks on three sides and terraced fields in the middle. During Jiangnan's continuous rains, distant meadows morph into lakes, transforming the landscape into a secluded realm exclusive to Yongjia.
Additionally, the changes in Yongjia's countryside and Mr. Gong's adaptation to urban life have made returning home inconvenient. As a result, the siblings visit less frequently and for shorter periods due to the unsatisfactory rural living facilities. Consequently, the family has embarked on a project to build a house in the countryside suitable for comfortable reunions for families and friends.
Incorporating the architectural principles into the configuration of doors and windows, our design harnesses natural ventilation effectively, negating the necessity for a centralized ventilation system. Experiments evaluating the intensity, brightness, and ambient feel of natural light throughout the day inform the layout to enhance daily family activities. Indoors, the herbal bricks provide exceptional thermal stability, significantly reducing energy usage for temperature regulation. They even mitigate moisture retention ("stop sweating") during Wenzhou's most humid rainy seasons.Incorporating the architectural principles into the configuration of doors and windows, our design harnesses natural ventilation effectively, negating the necessity for a centralized ventilation system. Experiments evaluating the intensity, brightness, and ambient feel of natural light throughout the day inform the layout to enhance daily family activities. Indoors, the herbal bricks provide exceptional thermal stability, significantly reducing energy usage for temperature regulation. They even mitigate moisture retention ("stop sweating") during Wenzhou's most humid rainy seasons.
Throughout the three-year deduction and development of the project, we have delved deeply into traditional construction approaches for rural dwellings, such as rammed earth walls. However, these local methods face significant implementation challenges due to the scarcity of rural labor and specialized skills. Conversely, urban construction methods offer simplicity, feasibility, and efficiency, making them easier to adopt and promote in modern rural construction. However, these approaches often fail to resonate with the local context. In response, we embarked on a journey to fundamentally address these challenges starting from the choice of building materials.
"When you gaze at this house from the outside, the number of floors remains a mystery," remarked Dongzi Yang, founder and design director of Various Associates. "It's a meticulously planned engineering marvel, not a haphazard creation." The design epitomizes interlocking elements, meaningful dialogue, seamless connections, and mutual accomplishments, not just within the house itself but also within its surrounding context.
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