Hangzhou, China
Commissioned by the Urban Construction and Development Center of Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Xun Zhang, Binxin Chen, and Yan Wang of GOA (Group of Architects) merge contemporary and past history in their Renewal of Xiangfuli Traditional Block.
Renewal of Xiangfuli Traditional Block has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Awards Honorable Mention by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Xiangfuli is named after Xiangfu Bridge, a national-grade relic enjoying a history that can be dated back to about 800 years.
Inheriting the canal culture of the Song Dynasty, Xiangfuli in most recent history has become an old industrial zone and the joint of the city and its outskirts.
Residents here live by the water and original buildings form a lined-up downtown street pattern along the Wulitang River.
Old streets and lanes there permeate a strong flavor of rural life, while the block is congested and lacks the potential for a more sustainable development.
The architects managed to make the plan a template for urban renewal projects in China, stimulating vitality while maintaining the historical “marketplace” style.
Through several strategies, the architects expected to improve the community life of surrounding residents, while attracting visitors in order to inject new vitality.
Thus, a concept of “integration” was put forth and is conducted in three strategies, namely, “space integration, business integration, and time integration”.
Through typological analysis of traditional “marketplace” space, multiple dimensions of “court,” “yard,” “street,” “lane,” “terrace,” and “garden” are organized in the block as a characteristic space and carrier of traditional memory.
Specific routes are organized for both visitors and residents.
There are five historical buildings in this region.
For seriously damaged buildings, the architects either maintained or rebuilt them at the original location, with new functions endowed.
To meet the requirements of the community, schools and elderly an people’s home were newly built in the plan.
Open paths connect the bottom and surrounding public space in order to emphasize and encourage the sharing of facilities.
Project: Renewal of Xiangfuli Traditional Block
Architects: GOA (Group of Architects)
Design Team: Xiaoxiao Zhang, Xun Zhang, Binxin Chen, and Yan Wang
General Contractor: Zhejiang Kunxing Construction Co., Ltd.
Client: Urban Construction and Development Center of Gongshu District, Hangzhou
Photographs Courtesy of the Architects
