Login
Registered users
This adaptive reuse project revitalizes a former ceramics and pottery factory complex in Shuili Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. Originally built in the 1920s, the site was once a major global hub producing both artisanal pottery and industrial ceramics. The kiln structures, built in long, winding masonry forms, earned the site the name "Snake Kiln," reflecting their serpentine architecture. Over nearly a century, due to societal changes, industrial advancement, and declining market demand, the factories gradually fell into disrepair. To preserve the site's cultural and historical significance, the abandoned buildings have been renovated into a multi-use complex featuring a single-story gallery and a two-story gift shop, blending old and new through a wabi-sabi aesthetic.
The voting session is closed
Through light, form, and material, this project revivals the culture of pottery-making for generations to come. Paying homage to the site’s historical legacy, this renovation project is not only a spatial transformation but a cultural narration, with aims on the diachronic heritage, natural surroundings, and pottery kiln culture. Inspired from the original kiln site's wabi-sabi aesthetic, this project reimages this place as a synthesis of old and new, and pursues a modest, austere, aesthetic that roots in the culture of pottery. In addition to revamping basic utilities, such as electrical rewiring and structural repairs, the renovation involves the minimal decorative constructions and embraces natural imperfections to resonate with the rustic charm of its surroundings.
Not only restores the site's deteriorated structures and utilities, but the renovation also seeks to revitalize kiln culture, local vitality, and visitor flow at the Snake Kiln. During modern structural upgrades, the renovation minimizes decorative elements. With the use of glass structures—such as skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows—the interior connects with the surrounding landscape and enhances the sense of openness; meanwhile, daylighting was enhanced through the addition of skylights. Skylights introduce shifting natural light, while an undulating feature wall and preserved brickwork evoke a sense of primitive calm and reflect the site’s cultural legacy. In addition, during the utility upgrades, all lighting fixtures were replaced with LEDs to improve energy efficiency.
Situated in a long, winding layout, the gallery enters from a narrow space and gradually becomes broader while moving inwards. The cave-like atmosphere at the entrance resembles a kiln tunnel, guiding visitors from a small space into a deep, spacious exhibition hall. The gallery hall retains its original masonry wall without overly furnishing. Side walls block direct daylight, allowing handcrafted artworks to be viewed without glare or reflection interference. A previous leaking roof was repaired, and the skylight was added along the ridge, introducing sunlight to shine from morning to dusk, suffusing diverse ambiances throughout the day. The gift shop was structurally reinforced with steel and assembled with glass windows to connect the exterior environments. Conceiving the undulating surface of liquid pottery, a textured, stone-like wall imbues a primitive feeling into the space. It captures the raw and organic essence of pottery-making, visually narrating its transformation from raw earth through extraction, refinement, and firing, ultimately becoming artworks. Leading to the upper story, asymmetry steps of the curved staircase serve as informal seating areas, inviting guests to rest, observe sunlight, and immerse themselves in moments of calm. Upstairs, more original brickwork was preserved intact, resonating a poetic undertone of its local history. The open space provides possibilities for hosting special events and curating exhibitions, enhancing visitor experience.
This revitalization goes beyond improving structural safety, spatial quality, and circulation. It also results in attracting more visitors and consumers, effectively conveying the cultural significance of the Shuili Snakekiln to the public, and allowing local history to be passed down across generations.
NID DESIGN LAB was founded in 2015. Our vision focuses on interdisciplinary design integration, positioning NID DESIGN LAB as a nest for nurturing art and spatial design. We approach spatial thinking from the perspectives of humanity, art, everyday life, and storytelling—imbuing each space with meaning and thoughtfully responding to the needs of its users.
