Header: Bowen Hou
The activity building, also known as “a house place“, is located at the entry point of a Jiangshan fishing village administrative area composed of several settlements. The multifunctional building boosts quality of life and community gatherings through a process of renewal.
An architectural gem in Jiangshan fishing village
According to the Chinese system, an administrative village can include one or more settlements composed of living units and farms. Amid the current development fever sweeping China, most administrative villages span large areas with several rural settlements. Composed of seven such settlements, Jiangshan fishing village is a true gem of the Gaochun Zone, in Nanjing City, the capital of Jiangsu province.
During the first two-year building period, the Mix Architecture focused on developing some of the main Jiangshan village settlements, but in the second stage, the studio focused on a remote rural site at the very edge of the administrative lines. That’s where the MaJiaLong village activity building comes in. The new project will improve the quality of life in every part of Jiangshan fishing village.
Turning an old store into a MaJiaLong activity building
MaJiaLong village activity building is seemingly a typical old contemporary building, commonly found in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces’ countryside. But this old house on the west side of the village is nestled in an intriguing location – in the village entrance area that marks the boundaries between fields and settlements. To answer the requirements of the client, the Mix Architecture studio transformed this old store into a multi-use activity building.
Overhanging eaves and irregular roof composition
The design started with the typology in mind. The studio explored different possibilities to maintain the traditional village context while creating a functional activity space. The roof became an important element of the architectural language.
The architects employed overhanging eaves and irregular roof composition to create a void space that links the building interior with the landscape. The design creates a continuity between the building and the open space in the surrounding area, while at the same time creating a flexible communal environment.
Natural lighting
A series of carefully positioned roof openings draws natural light into the building, providing extended periods of daylight. The light passing through the openings to illuminate the space becomes a lighthouse guiding users through the interior.
Zelkova schneideriana tree
Finally, an old Zelkova schneideriana tree is planted and incorporated into the building. The tree that protrudes from the opening in the roof activates every element of the design, from overhanging eaves to the gathering areas, extending further to capture the attention of the whole village. The Zelkova schneideriana tree adds a spiritual dimension to the design, mirroring the old trees in the villages that serve as both landmarks and gathering areas.
The MaJiaLong village activity building becomes a place of gathering and conversation. Full of energy and dynamism, the building becomes a symbol which represents the development of the village.
Technical sheet:
Project name: MaJiaLong village activity building
Location: Jiangshan Village, Gaochun Zone, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
Studio: Mix Architecture
Team: Ziye Wu, Suning Zhou, Tao Tang, Qian Shi
Start date: 2019.03
Finish date: 2019.11
Build-up area: 102m2
Photographed by: Bowen Hou
