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The project is the repurposing of two buildings, a one-story pitched roof warehouse in disrepair, and an abandoned two-story flat roof storehouse. It's located in Huangnishan community, a residential quarter for pyrite workers which was built in 1959 and now accommodates more than 500 households and 1,000 people. The second phase of the "Rural future community" initiative inherits the concept of phase one. It's intended to improve and supplement what was lacking before, and to activate unused spaces. This project is a part of the second phase of the initiative. After fieldwork and discussion, we decided to convert the two warehouse buildings into a multi-functional gym and a ceramic expert workshop, to bring in new operations and enhance availability for the public. Carrying past memories while meeting the demands of modern and future living was a major requirement emphasized by the client at the preliminary design stage. Based on the site's conditions, we reorganized the functions of the two buildings. The two-story flat roof building is transformed into a ceramic expert workshop, and its old staircase is removed to re-establish the vertical traffic which is combined with a newly built lobby. The one-story pitched roof building is converted into a multi-functional gym. Considering its limited height, we dismantled the wooden roof and raised the height of walls to build a new roof. Meanwhile, new functions such as bathroom and shower room are also inserted into the building. In terms of material selection, we adopted the design strategy of "continuity". We utilized red brick to set the main tone while combining it with mottled weathering steel, to blend new textures into the old buildings in a harmonious way. We also adopted some modern materials such as glass bricks and glass windows to harmonize the dullness and monotony of the buildings. In addition, we superimposed new elements on the old existing components to ensure integrity and harmony between the two buildings. Different patterns of stacked bricks create a dialogue between the front building and the back building in terms of material textures, and the various forms of weathering steel window frames meet the demands for outdoor air conditioner unit installation while unifying the design languages, thus integrating the buildings into a whole. The outdoor activity platform and corridor enrich the usability of the space, allowing users to move to the outdoor space after sports and work and enhancing the connection between the buildings. Many public projects are left unused and abandoned after renovation, causing a huge waste of social resources. At the beginning of this project, we attached great importance to the use of space and the insertion of operations. After it was completed, we see that the multi-functional gymnasium is fully utilized by the surrounding residents — young people playing basketball and badminton here and senior residents dancing. More fortunately, the users of the space not only meet the expectation of the initial plan, but also show good artistic attainment and aesthetic taste. Even appearing messy in special use, the space can still reveal a true aesthetic that integrates into daily life. While maintaining the aesthetics of the space, this project gives the old buildings a new life.
Established in 2017, Shanghai-based y.ad studio carries out design practices and researches mainly in fields such as urban renewal, commercial complex transformation, cultural-tourism real estate, integrated parks, restaurants, hotels, and rural construction, etc. The team keeps learning, reflecting and making breakthrough during design practice and exploration, and works to offer integrated solutions for interior, architecture, landscape, master planning and products. By constantly making new attempts and challenging conventions in aspects of interior, exterior, form and experience, y.ad studio tries to break through boundaries and stereotypes. Through active interventions, the studio intends to closely connect design, ideas and space, and strives to promote harmonious and sustainable coexistence among architecture, environment and people.
