Mix Architecture

Jiangshan Fishing Village Renovation

Mix Architecture

3. October 2018

Library lobby (Photo: Hou Bowen)

Under the impact of modern urbanization, the decline of rural areas has become an unavoidable reality. Mix Architecture was commissioned by Jiangshan Fishing Village in Gaochun of Nanjing to meet the basic needs of indigenous peoples for modern functions and cultural life, and formulated a rural renewal plan. It is hoped that from the perspective of the “man” of the village origin, the small fishing village on the shore of Gucheng Lake will be changed by using fragmented transformation and construction.

Project: Jiangshan Fishing Village Renovation, 2018
Location: Jiangshan Village, Gaochun District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China
Architect: Mix Architecture
Project Team: Wu Ziye, Zhou Suning, Tang Tao, Liu Man, Mao Junpeng
Construction Team: Nantong Jielida Construction Service Co., Ltd.
Built Area: 385 m²

Library aerial (Photo: Hou Bowen)

The first phase of the Jiangshan Fishing Village Renewal Plan consists of two parts, namely the renovation of the vacant old homes and the construction of rural public facilities.

Library facade (Photo: Hou Bowen)

The transformation of the old house is the focus of the renovation plan. The design retains the external appearance of the rare old houses in the village as much as possible, hoping to emphasize the importance of regional characteristics and cultural heritage. At the same time, disruptive functional replacement and spatial reconstruction of the interior of the building were implemented. A bookcase wrapped in a patio and a glass tea pavilion facing the courtyard were implanted. They not only became the center of space activities, but also broke the boundaries between the interior and exterior, introducing sunlight and nature into the dimly old houses, making them become village neighborhoods as a new place for communication and cultural blending.

Bookcase and patio (Photo: Hou Bowen)

Tea pavilion (Photo: Hou Bowen)

The construction of rural public health facilities is to meet villagers’ needs for nearby toilets in their daily life and working. The two public toilets are located at the entrance of the village and the groves in the village. The most basic forms and architectural methods of construction ensure that a simple modern aesthetic can still be presented with less capital and in regional construction conditions. And through the dislocation of buildings, a “gap” is formed, allowing the building to enjoy good ventilation and lighting effects with only a small amount of equipment.

Public toilet (Photo: Hou Bowen)

Forest toilet (Photo: Hou Bowen)

At the end of the year, the first phase of the renewal project was completed. We were pleased to see that these built “gadgets” were recognized by the villagers and subtly influenced their lives. Everyone began to go to the library in the afternoon, reading or chatting, and began to have a new view on the use, forms and functions of traditional old houses or new buildings. The starting point of Jiang Shan's practice is different from the current home-bust, rural-construction boom. It originates from the simplest life and cultural needs of the villagers, and it affects the genes of the village from the very beginning. To a certain extent, the thinking of design on the social significance of architecture goes beyond its form, and the expectation of rural revival begins in the practice of design.