Teamminus 简盟工作室

Jianamani Visitor Center

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus

JIANAMANI VISITOR CENTER

TeamMinus

ARCHITECTS
TeamMinus

AREA
1100 m²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
China

CATAGORY
Visitor Center

Text description provided by architect.

Yushu is a highly regarded religious center to Tibetans. Its significance comes mainly from Jianamani, the world's largest Tibetan Buddhist cairn.

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus

With a history of over 3 centuries, Jianamani currently bears over 250 million pieces of Mani stones, and is still growing with new pieces added daily by pilgrims.

In Yushu, more than 40% of the populations live on the carving of Mani stones. To the Yushu community, nothing compares to Jianamani.

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus

After the 2010 earthquake, Yushu-ers immediately set off to repair Jianamani, long before they started repairing their own houses. The Jianamani Visitor Center serves both visitors and the local community.

To visitors and pilgrims, it provides information about Jianamani and its history complemented by viewing the surrounding historical sites.

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus

To local Yushu-ers, it provides a post office, a clinic, public toilets and a small research archive. 

The Jianamani Visitor Center consists of a square building with a courtyard in the center, and 11 observation decks surrounding it. The central square volume features the typical Tibetan layout.

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus

Of the 11 observation decks, 2 point to Jianamani, 9 point to historic / religious sites related to Jianamani, including:

Leciga, Genixibawangxiou, Cuochike, Dongna Zhunatalang Taiqinleng, Zhaqu River Valley, Lazanglongba, Rusongongbu, Naigu River Beach, and Kuanyin Rebirth Site.

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus

The Jianamani Visitor Center is mainly built with the local construction techniques.

The stone masonry is done by local masons, using the same kind of local rock from which Mani stones are carved.

The railings around the roof terrace and the observation decks are made of wood, with some parts recycled from earthquake debris.

Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus


Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus
Jianamani Visitor Center
Courtesy of Teamminus


Jianamani Visitor Center
Location Plan
Jianamani Visitor Center
Site and Roof Plan
Jianamani Visitor Center
Ground Floor Plan
Jianamani Visitor Center
First Floor Plan


Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Jianamani Visitor Center
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Teamminus 简盟工作室
T +86 10 5177 99588 F +86 10 51779956
Teamminus 简盟工作室
Rm 815. D B. Dongsheng Plaza, Wu-Dao-Kou, Beijing 10083, China 中国北京五道口东升大厦B815