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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Geographical and architectural imaginations

to ventilation, sun-shading, and heat insulation using The proposed palace was situated on the narrowest
specific architectural techniques (Figure 8). This visit and point of the slender Kaloum Peninsula extending into the
observation on Guinean architecture (local vernacular, Atlantic Ocean. In an attempt to respond to the narrow
colonial, and post-colonial buildings) enabled Chen and irregular site, the architects strategically positioned the
to develop a comprehensive understanding of the 24,000 sqm People’s Palace at one end of the site, leaving
relationship between architectural design and tropical the other end for the plaza and parking lot. This intentional
climate and to maintain an intention to situate his design arrangement resulted in dynamic spatial consequences
in this specific context. 4 years later, in 1965 Chen led in the front plaza, visible to those walking or driving
a design group, comprising assistant architect Liu along the north road, where visitors could appreciate the
Dayuan, structural, mechanical engineers and a model building’s main façade (Figure 9). The building’s layout
maker from the Beijing Industrial Architecture Design closely resembles that of the Great Hall of the People in
Institute to revisit Conakry for 3 months. During this Beijing, albeit on a smaller scale. The 1180-seat auditorium
time, the team conducted a survey, developed proposals, is situated in the center, flanked by the auxiliary functions
and completed a whole set of schematic drawings, in either side, and two landscaped inner courtyards in
renderings, and models (Liu, 2015). Once the Guinean between (Figure 10). This layout recalls that of Beijing
officials confirmed the scheme, the design team returned Railway Station, where the courtyards incorporate some
to Beijing. Architect Wang Rongshou led a project team native plants, and break the sense of closure of the super-
within the design institute to carry out the construction large building plan.
drawings. The auditorium’s impressive volume and strong
centrality dominate the building’s formal composition,

Figure 9. The People’s Palace, Guinea, completed in 1967. Source:
Courtesy of China Architecture Design and Research Group.

Figure 8. Illustrations in Chen’s article on tropical architecture; modernist
building with brise-soleil (up); the ground plan of the Grand Hotel Figure 10. The natural ventilation diagram of the People’s Palace. Source:
de L’Independance (middle); plan and section of Guinean vernacular Chen Deng’ao, Redai jianzhu (Tropical Architecture; Beijing: China
building (bottom).Source: Jianzhu xuebao, 1962, no. 10. Architecture and Building Press, 1989).

Volume 5 Issue 1 (2023) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.200