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A comprehensive heritage assessment and classification were conducted for the buildings on site. The most representative industrial elements, such as trusses, chimneys, and exterior wall materials, were preserved and used as the foundation for the renovation. Through meticulous "repair techniques" such as structural encapsulation, node refinement, and material replacement, the original industrial architecture's aesthetic orientation was continued. The goal was to create a complex of industrial heritage buildings that seamlessly integrates with the regional characteristics of Jiangnan water towns. At the same time, it is crucial to consider social and economic benefits, and infuse new business formats and vitality, thereby realizing the inheritance and renewal of the industrial wasteland.
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The project is located on the west side of the Beizha River in Wuzhen, surrounded by water on three sides and adjacent to old village houses, the site embodies the distinctive characteristics of an "ancient town, water town, and brewery." The design respects the regional conditions of the Jiangnan water town and the light industrial features of the rural brewery, avoiding dominant and landmark features. Instead, it draws from the site's existing textures to maintain the diversity and differentiation of rural industrial heritage through various spatial types and material expressions, ensuring harmonious coexistence with the historical and cultural environment of Wuzhen.
1. Regional Adaptation: Respected the original industrial heritage conditions, using existing textures as the source for new design forms to maintain the spatial types and material expressions of rural industrial heritage. 2. Minimal Alterations: Retained the exterior of original workshop buildings, reinforcing them internally to reduce excessive carbon emissions and environmental impact. 3. Brick Recycling: Reused old red bricks from demolished buildings, utilizing machine cutting and manual chiseling to create natural fractures, preserving the texture of the original brewery while minimizing environmental impact.
1. Preservation of Historical Memory: The design team retained as much of the original brewery’s structure and exterior materials as possible, particularly the exposed red brick walls and dry-hung stone facades. By inserting a new framework within the original brick-masonry structures, the old buildings were reinforced without significant exterior alterations, preserving the historical memory while reducing renovation costs and environmental impact. 2. Continuation of Regional Characteristics: Emphasizing the Jiangnan water town environment and the light industrial characteristics of the rural brewery, the design avoided dominant and landmark features. Instead, it drew from the site's existing texture as the source of its formal language, maintaining the diversity and differentiation of rural industrial heritage through various spatial types and material expressions. 3. Sustainable Ecological Concept: The project reused old red bricks from the demolished factory buildings. These bricks were machine-cut and manually chiselled to create natural fractures, which were then used to build the new exterior facades. This not only recycled old bricks but also preserved the texture of the rural brewery. 4. Pursuit of Spatial Versatility: The redesign of the interior spaces of the industrial heritage buildings aimed to retain the original workshop characteristics and roof structures. It transformed the spatial language to meet the needs of large, open, and multipurpose spaces.
This project significantly impacts regional architectural practice. It has been included as a demonstration case for industrial heritage conservation in the Grand Canal Cultural Belt of China. The design team has explored a path where preservation coexists with innovation. This design philosophy and practice provide a reference for the transformation of industrial heritage in Chinese towns and offer insights for international architectural circles on innovative design in heritage renovation.
Lichao Architecture Studio was established in 2017. Under the leadership of its founder, Professor Lichao Chen, the studio is based on long-term intensive experiments rooted in the local countryside, with the contemporary innovative transformation of traditional Chinese architectural language and craftsmanship tradition as the core, reshaping the local architectural aesthetics and regional cultural characteristics, and creating a series of representative works that deeply reflect local architectural ideas, combine craftsmanship traditions with modern technology, and have local architectural originality and guidance for sustainable urban and rural construction. It has participated in many international exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale, and has won many awards at home and abroad. It is a pioneer studio in China's local architectural innovation movement.
