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Mariposa 1038 (Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects)

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The AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community (HCD) is a network of architects and allied stakeholders that promotes equity in housing, excellence in residential design, and sustainable, vibrant communities for all, through education, research, awards, and advocacy.

Housing Knowledge Community China trip - #6

By Katherine R. Williams AIA posted 06-10-2014 11:09 PM

  
Update #4 from the field in China


[Paul Okamoto squeezes in one last sketch from the roof terrace on the morning of our departure from Xizhou]


We bid farewell to the Linden Centre on Saturday as we made our way towards the very much non-fictional town of Shangri-La. The lengthiness of the six hour bus ride was tempered by the sweeping views outside our windows for the majority of our journey north.







[quick snap from one of our scenic pit stops]

As our bus inched closer to Shangri-La's elevation of 9,860 feet, the architecture of the buildings quickly moved away from the vernacular found near Dali and more towards traditional Tibetan construction. Curved eaves gave way to straight ones, roof cladding changed from tile to wood, and the ornamentation on the houses became remarkably different.







[one of our first sights in town - an ox that had ambled casually into the courtyard of the Thangka Academy and munched happily on the landscaping until chased out by a student]

After we checked into the Arro Khampa Zinc Resort, we were introduced to Darkpa, the owner of the hotel and a well known figure around town. He led the group on a walking tour of Old Town where we saw the devastating results of the fire that swept the area in January. More than 70% of the historical district was destroyed- 342 buildings, with many businesses and families displaced. In the upcoming days, our delegation will have a chance to meet with local government officials to learn more about the rebuilding process and explore possibilities for planning contribution.







[ruins from the fire with a large prayer wheel in the background - when not covered in scaffolding, one could presumably move it with the help of five other people]











[Darkpa guides our group as we gather at the boundary of the city affected by the fire]















[looking down as we make our way across the foundations of the razed building]


















[a demonstration structure constructed among the ruins of the old town square, showing a more fire resistant alternative - slate tiles - to the traditional wood shingles typically found on Shangri-La buildings]

Dinner was yet another delectable meal as the Tara Cafe and Gallery - located in a 150 year old merchant trading house and one of the buildings in old town spared by the fire - offered up a small feast of Indian, Tibetan, and hybrid dishes. Uttara, the owner and another familiar face around the city, gave us a friendly welcome and explained how the fire had impacted tourism in the area.





[outside Tara Cafe and Gallery]

Tomorrow, we'll have a chance to explore more of Shangri-La -although perhaps at a slightly slower pace, due to a slight drop in the amount of oxygen that we're all accustomed to.




// Jenny Guan
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