Buro Ole Scheeren to Design Wuliang Interstice in Yibin China

Located in the historical city of Yibin, known as the geographical source of the Yangtze River and famed for its rich cultural heritage, Ole Scheeren has designed a new campus and experience center for Wuliangye, one of China’s leading winemakers. The Min and Yangtze Rivers weave through the city of Yibin, and together with the presence of lush greenery and the surrounding mountain ranges give rise to a picturesque and livable notion of urbanity. This is the home of Wuliangye, one of the most notable Chinese white wine makers in the country. The brand, the history and the wines of Wuliangye hold a strong significance in the consciousness of the city and its people. Büro Ole Scheeren’s concept draws on this intimate connection and explores Wuliangye’s culture and history as a part of the spatial realm of the city. Inspired by the shape of the existing natural canyon, two folding parallel structures form a dynamic interstitial space. While connecting the adjacent river to the existing Headquarters and wider campus, the architecture creates a central space of a fluid indoor-outdoor narrative around nature and wine culture. Historic artifacts and contemporary architecture enter a dialogue between past, present, and future. Framing the Wuliang Interstice on either side are Wuliangye World and the Wine Culture Exhibition Center, rising gently as topographical architectures and meandering through the site to merge with the natural canyon reaching the Min River. A small stream, flowing through the space between the buildings follows the narrative of the storytelling and connects the Wuliangye Campus with the river, the city, and symbolically, the world beyond. Wuliangye World is an experience center for visitors to engage with the brand and its produce through various themes. Taking cues from the beauty of precious vintage wine utensils, the key interior spaces of the Wuliangye World building explore their shape and materiality as architectural form. Facing the river, a sculptural structure resembling a cluster of precious wine cups accommodates the Hidden Worlds of Wuliangye in a wine tasting center. On the other side of the Interstice, the Wine Culture Exhibition Center follows a similar spatial language to its counter-part to tell the story of wine culture through a series of themed exhibition halls, supported by educational facilities and a forum for larger-scale events.

Buro Ole Scheeren to Design Wuliang Interstice in Yibin China

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