Page 152 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Emotive architecture in China

Figure 9. The design process of Xiaoxi Jia utilized digital modeling to analyze approaching sequences and feelings. Source: Drawings by WEI Architects

11
sentiment . Both the Xiaoxi Jia and RouTing projects were
conceived following this principle.
For Xiaoxi Jia, the inspiration stemmed from the author’s
profound connection with the natural environment of
Chixi village, shaping the project’s direction from its
inception. Before undertaking this project, extensive
visits to similar rural communities and interactions with
locals informed an understanding of their history and
circumstances. The abandoned houses in Chixi village
blended harmoniously with the natural surroundings,
reflecting the village’s past while inspiring thoughts about
its future. The author believes that the perfect state of
harmony, deeply recognized in people’s hearts, is one where
all elements of nature blend and depend on each other. The Figure 10. The construction process of Xiaoxi Jia utilized digital modeling
vision for Xiaoxi Jia is to create a living house akin to a tree to analyze approaching sequences and feelings. Source: Photos by WEI
rooted in the land, constantly related to the environment Architects (2016)
and becoming an inseparable part of it at every moment of
its growth (Figure 7).
Comparatively, the inspiration behind the design of
RouTing was the sensation of nama chocolate melting on
the tongue – both intimate and intense. This First Store
was created as a space to celebrate the blossoming of love,
encompassing not only romantic affection but also familial

11 The ILSEL cognitive framework, detailed in Chapter 2
of Mi Man Kong Jian [Suffused Space] (Wei, 2019, pp. 65-119),
outlines an emotive design approach in architecture. It consists
of:
1. Intuitive perception: Leveraging intuitive feelings to shape
design direction.
2. Landscape driven: Incorporating environmental context into
sensory experiences.
3. Scenery thinking: Using narrative to deepen engagement with
the design.
4. Experience directed: Creating spaces that resonate emotionally
and temporally.
5. Iteration between sense and sensibility: Balancing rational
functionality with emotional response.
ILSEL is a method that intertwines intuition, environmental
context, narrative, and sensory experiences to produce Figure 11. Dynamic curved tile roofs of Xiaoxi Jia utilized digital
architecture that resonates on an emotional level, thereby modeling to analyze approaching sequences and feelings. Source: Photos
fostering a deeper connection between space and the user. by WEI Architects (2016)

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1606