A spring breeze passes through swaying branches of pink, scattering petals like fragments of jade across the ground. Cherry blossom season has returned to Guizhou University.
Blossoms drift like butterflies, brushing against the grey brick walls of this century-old university. With architecture as the warp and floral shadows as the weft, the campus becomes a sweeping romantic portrait of academic life in southwest China.
01. All Things Flourish, Each in Its Own Colour
Amid this romantic sea of blossoms, the architecture tells the history of Guizhou University in a quieter language. Buildings and flowers reflect one another, forming a vivid spring landscape.
The campus draws on architectural traditions from China's Shang and Zhou dynasties, expressing a warm and substantial cultural heritage. Looking upward brings both visual impact and a sense of calm reflection.
Red walls and grey roofs stand out among pink blossoms and green foliage. A unified, restrained palette interprets modern grandeur through a return to simplicity.
02. Continuing History, Carrying Culture Forward
Expressing the heritage and character of Guizhou University was a shared goal of the lead design team. The architecture continues historical elements without imitating age, using contemporary techniques and materials to pursue authenticity.
After comparing a range of exterior wall materials, the team selected 21PARKHOUSE® flexible stone as the most effective solution. The project became a strong example of how the university's cultural identity can be expressed through new materials.
Glacier Stone and Kiln-Fired Brick flexible stone became defining elements of the campus image. Their textures extend across the building facades, softening the boundaries between individual structures and creating an atmosphere that is restrained yet monumental.
The warmth and simplicity of red brick contrast clearly with the refined character of white walls. The result balances strength with elegance, with careful craftsmanship visible in every detail.
03. Beauty Through Integration, Boundless New Materials
Recreating Natural Materials
Flexible stone uses a 3D coating process to recreate the appearance of natural materials. Textures and colours inspired by stone, timber and brick can all be reproduced with a high degree of fidelity.
Ageing Resistance and Secure Adhesion
Traditional dry-hung stone is affected by its own weight and may loosen after years of exposure, creating safety risks and requiring substantial maintenance. Thin brick finishes can also suffer from hollow spots and detachment, and their use on high-rise exterior walls has been restricted or prohibited in many locations.
Flexible stone is thin, lightweight and breathable. It can be bonded directly to the wall and is less prone to hollowing or detachment. Testing cited by the original project indicates an outdoor ageing resistance of 30–50 years, with even stronger durability in interior applications.
Controlled Costs
Because flexible stone can bend, it can be stacked or rolled for transport, reducing the space required. Installation can reach 20–40 m² per person per day. Combined with lower material costs, this can reduce total project costs by approximately 30–60% compared with stone, making it suitable for public buildings, commercial spaces and high-end hotels.
By combining faithful natural textures, ageing resistance, secure adhesion and controlled costs, 21PARKHOUSE® flexible stone expresses the campus's regional heritage, academic character and traditional aesthetic values. The project offers a new model for contemporary campus architecture.
Project Information
Project: Guizhou University
Selected materials: 21PARKHOUSE® Glacier Stone and Kiln-Fired Brick
Application: Building facades
Address: 2708 South Section of Huaxi Avenue, Huaxi District, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
Completed: 2016
Glacier Stone Series
Model: LSJ00631
Sizes: 2400 × 1200 mm (best-selling) and 1200 × 600 mm
Thickness: 2–3 mm (±1 mm)
* Product images with a green border indicate best-selling options with no minimum order quantity.
* For non-best-selling options, please consult a sales manager when ordering less than 50 m² at one time.
