XISUI Design’s Red Dunes project has been recognized as the popular choice winner at the prestigious 2023 Architizer A+Awards. This captivating design showcases undulating red dunes, creating an enchanting landscape for children’s activities. Seamlessly integrating functional installations within the natural topography, the project evokes the charm of a mountain nest or a jungle treehouse.
Photo credit: Hu Yihao, XISUI Design
Parametric Topography Design
Through digital generation, the topography of Red Dunes has been customized to accommodate the complexity and slope of the terrain, providing distinct zones for different age groups. Children’s activity facilities seamlessly merge with the natural environment, forming a cohesive space that sparks imagination and exploration.
Digital Calculation of Natural Drainage
Meticulous calculations and simulations have ensured the implementation of a comprehensive natural drainage system within Red Dunes. Despite the undulating terrain, rainwater flow is effectively managed, eliminating the need for surface drainage outlets. Instead, rainwater naturally disperses into green spaces and designated peak drainage outlets, further enhancing the integration of the project with its surroundings.
Photo credit: Hu Yihao, XISUI Design
Concrete Shell Structure
The unique challenge posed by the undulated concrete shell structure of Red Dunes is ingeniously overcome. Inspired by the load transfer mechanism of natural arches, this design provides climbing spaces above and sheltered areas below, mirroring the cave-like topography of the natural landscape. By reducing the presence of columns and optimizing spatial efficiency, the project achieves visual cohesion with the environment, all while enabling large spans and ultra-thin structural thicknesses.
The Red Dunes project not only embraces innovative design techniques and advanced technologies but also practices material efficiency and sustainable ideals. Concrete, with its formability, cost-effectiveness, and practicality, takes center stage as a key material in green architecture and the development of future organic structures. Through mechanical calculations and modeling analysis, Red Dunes achieves material savings, reducing raw material usage by approximately two-thirds compared to conventional beam-column structures of the same span.
With its undulating red dunes and integration of functional children’s activity installations, XISUI Design’s Red Dunes project offers a space for children to run, jump, and roll. Its innovative design techniques and advanced technologies, such as parametric topography design, digital calculation of natural drainage, and the use of a unique concrete shell structure, ensure a harmonious blend of functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. The project aims to inspire individuals of all ages to embrace outdoor play and exploration while fostering a strong connection with the surrounding natural elements.
