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The project originated from the need to preserve and revitalize the historic cliffside village of Chenjiapu, which was facing challenges due to its remote location, limited resources, and economic stagnation. Recognizing the village's cultural and historical value, the project aimed to transform it into a cultural and tourism destination while retaining its unique identity. The design respects the village's spatial texture and site constraints, adapting old houses for reuse. It preserves traditional architectural elements while incorporating modern amenities to enhance comfort and functionality. Detailed research into local building techniques and materials ensures new structures harmonize with the historical context.
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Chenjiapu Village, with a 640-year history, is located 15 kilometers from Songyang County. Perched on cliffs and surrounded by mountains, the village features rammed earth and timber houses distributed in terraced levels, preserving the complete village landscape and ancient appearance. The project studies the adaptability of Songyang's dwellings to natural resources, climate, terrain, and lifestyle, providing a design basis for traditional settlement protection. Most buildings are restored and updated using local materials, with partial renovations; collapsed structures are rebuilt within their original outlines, and floating transparent glass boxes are inserted in key positions to achieve a seamless blend between new buildings and the traditional village environment.
Protecting traditional rural areas promotes sustainable development by controlling appearances to preserve cultural heritage and architectural traditions, ensuring continuity. Villagers repaired rammed earth and stone walls, transporting materials by hand due to terrain constraints, enhancing their sense of belonging and protecting traditional culture. The project prioritized existing materials, revitalized through modern restoration techniques, reducing new material needs and minimizing waste. Prefabricated light steel structures improved efficiency and reduced waste. Green building technologies, including natural ventilation, passive solar heating, and high-efficiency insulation, lowered energy consumption and significantly reduced carbon footprints.
Stray Birds Art Hotel is a comprehensive resort complex. The design features 11 guest rooms, a scenic lobby, a cliffside café and a restaurant. Outdoor terraces and scenic paths connect the buildings, providing guests with a seamless indoor-outdoor experience highlighting the area’s natural beauty. One key innovation is the integration of modern facilities into the traditional setting, such as glass-enclosed lobbies and viewing areas, offering visitors a unique experience, with paths and terraces guiding visitors through enchanting landscapes. The design goes beyond the adaptive renovation of individual buildings to encompass an overall understanding of the settlement and its natural environment. Local materials and traditional building techniques are combined with modern prefabrication methods to ensure structural integrity and comfort. The original rammed earth and stone structures are preserved and integrated with new lightweight steel frames and large glass windows to maximize natural light and views. The use of prefabricated light steel structures makes construction more efficient and minimally invasive, which is crucial for the remote and steep terrain of Chenjiapu Village. The project has significantly impacted local employment and economic growth. Over 160 villagers have returned for new job opportunities. By 2023, the number of tourists doubled to 600,000, generating 20 million RMB in revenue, which has increased local farmers' income.
Chenjiapu Village faces severe depopulation and decline. The team and the client aimed to rescue this picturesque yet endangered village through sensitive renovation and sustainable development, leading to a shared vision of revitalizing the village. The project preserves traditional dwellings and promotes rural cultural revival. It aims to be a beacon of rural revitalization, demonstrating how innovative design can breathe new life into traditional village.
line+ studio was founded by chief architects Meng Fanhao and Zhu Peidong. It is an innovative design firm with an international perspective, with offices in Hangzhou and Shanghai. The name "line" signifies boundaries, while the "+" represents a commitment to transcending the clear-cut limits of traditional industry fields. Their core strategy, "space empowerment," focuses on addressing existing issues in urban and rural areas within the context of the current era. This approach aims to achieve value iteration and release in multiple domains, including social, economic, and cultural aspects.
