Practicing at the ground ▏在地即修行

Designing a place for the staff to use for the Yulin Grottoes is something we dare to think about before receiving this design. Because of the world treasures such as Mogao Grottoes and Yulin Grottoes, we are more awe and admiring, and have never dared to make changes in such sacred places. However, because of this case, we once again set foot on this land, and once again got to know the geography, humanities, art, and the staff rooted here in a more intimate way, we have another feeling, and this kind of feeling is no longer the art work itself, but the respect for the local staff. Because the location of the Yulin Grotto is actually not suitable for normal human habitation, the air is extremely dry, and it is hot in summer and cold in winter, and the temperature difference is extremely great. But for the purpose of protection and research, they had to stay here for a long time. Both life and work were handed over to Yulin Grottoes. So, we decided, we must do something for them. Although the space we designed is only a small piece of idle space in the Yulin Grottoes, we still hope that such a space can bring them peace and relaxation.

原貌 ▏Origin

这是一个位于员工食堂旁极其狭小且异形的空间。原本只是建筑修建中，遗留下来的一块灰色地带。整个建筑空间占地投影面积约30平方米，层高接近六米，立体空间也呈现出毫无逻辑的变异漏斗形状。通风采光也因为其建筑本身的原因，受到了极大的影响。这无疑为设计的思考带来了不小的阻力。

This is a very small and shaped space next to the staff canteen. Originally it was only a gray area left over from the construction of the building. The entire building space covers an area of about 30 square meters, and the height of the building is nearly six meters. The three-dimensional space also presents a versatile variation funnel shape. Ventilation and lighting have also been greatly affected by the construction itself. This undoubtedly brought a lot of resistance to the design thinking.

思考 ▏Thinking

对于本项目的设计思考，已经完全不同于以往的设计经验。它既不像商业空间那样完全去照顾传播性或者视觉感受；更不像私宅空间那样，只关注其实用性，或者某些人的审美取向。它既融合又独立。但这样的思考却在整个过程中，显得异常的有趣。于是，我们从几个层面对该项目进行了剖析。

The design thinking of this project is completely different from the previous design experience. It does not take care of communication or visual experience as much as commercial space; it is not like the private space, only considers its practicality, or the aesthetics of some people. It is both integrated and independent. But such thinking is extremely interesting throughout the process. So, we analyzed the project from several levels.

首先，作为榆林窟的组成部分，无可避免的将与榆林窟、乃至瓜州的人文、地理等面貌产生着所多的关联；那么，根据其建筑本身的特有条件，以及榆林窟特有的洞窟形式，我们把原有一层的空间搭建成了两层空间。同时结合其漏斗形的建筑空间形式，在不占用底层使用面积的前提下，增加了一层公共空间，让原有使用面积达到了近乎一倍的增长。也因为这样的设计，让整个空间形成了如同通过楼梯栈道所关联起来的山势地貌形式，而这样的形式，正是如同榆林窟的实际面貌一般。而从材质而言，我们也是充分了考虑到了当地的实际施工条件及地域印象，于是，我们将当地最为常见的土质与涂料进行调配，形成一种新的廉价材料，用于整个空间的饰面，这不仅有效的降低了施工成本，也让整个空间与榆林窟毫无违和的共生在了一起。

First of all, as an integral part of the Yulin Grottoes, it will inevitably have much to do with the humanities and geography of the Yulin Grottoes and even Guazhou; then, according to the unique conditions of the building itself, and the unique caves of the Yulin Grottoes. We built the original layer of space into two layers of space. At the same time, combined with its funnel-shaped architectural space form, under the premise of not occupying the underlying use area, a layer of public space is added, so that the original use area has nearly doubled. Because of this design, the whole space forms a form of mountainous terrain that is connected by the stairway, and this form is just like the actual appearance of the Yulin Grottoes. From the material point of view, we have fully considered the actual construction conditions and regional impressions of the local area. Therefore, we have blended the most common local soil and paint to form a new cheap material for the entire space. This not only effectively reduces the construction cost, but also makes the whole space and the Yulin Grottoes have no symbiosis.

最后，从精神层面去思考，这样的空间，将赋予什么样的意义？又将带给我们设计师怎样的思考呢？其实这是我们在做这样一个公益项目中，最应该去思考的问题。“在地即修行”是我们在深度了解在地工作者之后，总结出来的一个定义。古有供养者、僧人在此修行、开凿修建佛窟。今天有学者、志愿者在此弘扬、保护榆林石窟文化。虽然性质产生了不小的变化，但我们认为，不变的都是自己的那一份信仰，是这份信仰让他们坚持在这里长期的扎根，甚至奉献出自己的一生。而这便是最难能可贵的精神。

Finally, think about it from a spiritual level. What kind of meaning will such a space give? What kind of thinking will we bring to our designers? In fact, this is the question we should think about when we are doing such a public welfare project. “Practicing at the ground” is a definition that we have summarized after we have deeply understood the local workers. Ancient supporters, monks practiced here and built caves. Today, there are scholars and volunteers who carry forward the protection of the Yulin Grotto culture. Although the nature has changed a lot, we believe that the same is the belief of oneself. It is this belief that allows them to persist in the long-term roots here and even to dedicate their own lives. And this is the most valuable spirit. 

于是，我们希望把“在地即修行”的理念灌输其中。除了在空间形态上，它既如榆林窟的整体面貌；进入空间的过程中，先低后敞的形式，也是在致敬榆林佛窟的建筑形式。而整体分氛围更是立求营造出宁静、舒缓的状态。这不仅得益于整体色调的营造，光与空间的关系也是有效的手段，且是最为重要的手段。外部光线通过天窗的空洞洒进室内，并随着时间的变化而游走，产生有趣的变化。

Therefore, we hope to instill the concept of "practicing at the ground" in addition to its spatial form, which is not only the overall appearance of the Yulin Grottoes; in the process of entering the space, the form of low and then open It is also a form of architecture to pay tribute to the Buddhist temple. The overall atmosphere is to create a calm and soothing state. This is not only due to the creation of the overall color, the relationship between light and space is also an effective means, and is the most important means. External light shines through the hollow of the skylight into the room and wanders over time, creating interesting changes. 

室内灯光的营造也极为讲究，我们甚至没有在大环境中用到一颗筒射灯，所有的灯光都与建筑形态进行了结合，自然而然的生长出来，犹如夹缝中的一道天光一般。同时壁炉所产生的火光又与整个空间产生这着微妙的关系与融合。火红的光影忽大忽小，闪烁的红色映射与冰冷的墙壁产生着对话。这更像是建筑空间里的呼吸，给了修行者生机与希望。

The interior lighting is also very elaborate. We don't even use a spotlight in the big environment. All the lights are combined with the architectural form, and naturally grow out like a skylight in the crack. At the same time, the fire generated by the fireplace creates a subtle relationship and fusion with the entire space. The flaming light and shadows are big and small, and the flashing red map creates a dialogue with the icy walls. This is more like breathing in the building space, giving the practitioners vitality and hope.

Project location: Yulin Cavern, Guazhou county, Jiuquan, Gansu province

甘肃省酒泉市瓜州县榆林石窟

Project owner: Dunhuang Research Institute of Yulin Grottoes Cultural Relics Protection Institute

敦煌研究院榆林窟文物保护研究所

Sponsors: Red Star Macalline &First Financial Public Welfare Foundation

红星美凯龙 & 第一财经公益基金会

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