xiaoman1 

I have had these pictures for a while and thought that I would share them with the forum. Every year for the last 13 years I take my students to China for a 2 week workshop. We travel to Tian-jin, Beijing and Shanghai and every year the highlight is to spend the night at the Commune by the Great Wall.
From the net: https://www.communebythegreatwall.com/en
The Commune by the Great Wall is a private collection of contemporary architecture designed by 12 Asian architects. It was exhibited at the 2002 la Biennale di Venezia and bestowed a special prize. In 2005, Commune by the Great Wall was hailed by Business Week as a "New Architectural Wonder of China".
I have always wanted to ride the hills to see the houses but until last year there were no bikes at the hotel...the last time there were some electric ones for rent so I was able to fulfill my wish and of course on the way up the battery died so it was on hell of a climb, the downhill was equally a trial because the brakes were so bad.
In any event a few pics.
I hope you enjoy them. Best, Ben



Suitcase house by Chang all of the rooms are in the floor!


See and See house because the bathroom is open to inside and outside


Cantilever House by Ochoa...hillside/site runs through the house!


Bamboo house by Kengo Kuma....my favorite and the one we rent on every visit.


Almost a bike!!

The Golden Boy 

Those are some cool looking houses! I love that you can see the Wall in the Bamboo house pic.

stardognine

Very interesting. 👍 One of these days, when I have plenty of battery power, I'll look into that suitcase house further. 🤔

xiaoman1 

Yes, It is pretty magical to see the sunset/sunrise there...right behind the Cantilever house is a little path that will lead you to a part of the wall that hasn't been restored and you can get an amazing view of the wall and its surroundings

Pull it up on the web...when the house is "closed" its one open space and when the floor is pulled up sleeping, kitchen and bath are exposed...there is even a hole in the sleeping room floor that you can see the ground below...lots of architecture to see in one place.

easyupbug 

Surely one of the most interesting ride reports.

rootboy 

Pretty cool, Xiaoman. Love that bamboo house. Which undoubtedly wasn't there last time I was
on the Great Wall. Which was to watch the sunrise at the turn of the new century. Unfortunately,
it was an overcast morning so no sun rise, but it was great being on the Wall.

Neat report.

xiaoman1 

My students at the Olympic Stadium Beijing....massive/impressive structure next to the Water Cube
Raining that day...not by the Great Wall but I thought I would share anyway, no bikes to rent