Is This the Future of Rural Architecture? A Look at the Award-Winning Village in Hongzhuang Art Project

In the rural village of Hongzhuang in Jiangsu Province, China, the second phase of the Village in Hongzhuang Art project has been completed, with the goal of integrating traditional cultural spatial characteristics with modern artistic elements. Designed by Hangzhou Wupu Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd., the project has received national and provincial honors, including “Beautiful Village” and “Key Tourism Village”.

A Bird's-eye view of the first and second phases of Hongzhuang Art Gallery © JWP DESIGN

The second phase of the project was completed by the end of 2022 and features four main buildings that are rotated to form a central courtyard. A three-dimensional transportation system is formed by building gray spaces and three-dimensional corridors surrounding and interspersed therein, creating a sense of openness and connectivity. Four small courtyards are also naturally formed around the inner boundaries of the building, with a modern visual sculpture designed with a tensile structure in the center.

Perspective along the river © JWP DESIGN

The building is situated on a Tingzhu surrounded by water on three sides, with natural openings on each side facing an external visual landscape, and four corridor entrances echoing traditional four-way colors. The internal functions of the building include an art exhibition hall, an art fair, a homestay, a local snack bar, an online training and re-education platform, and an online business platform, making it a functional supplement to the first phase and a thorough rural public building.

Guided by the concept of “village in a village”, the design of the second phase is more inclined to a concise and abstract modern style space, abandoning the so-called “style” design and decorative elements, using the colors of traditional pink walls and black tiles as visual identification symbols, and taking the plane function as the most basic starting point for facade composition.

Half bird's-eye view of the entrance © JWP DESIGN

The construction process of this project was full of challenges and innovations, but the designers were able to complete it successfully. The completion of the project has injected new vitality into the local cultural tourism industry and rural revitalization. The Village in Hongzhuang Art project has become a beautiful and practical place, and has contributed to the local expression of the “Tingzhu” and “Lane Lane Space” villages.

Half bird's-eye view of the courtyard © JWP DESIGN

The support and assistance of local farmers was crucial to the success of this project. They are very fond of the building, and their participation was an important part of the construction process. Hangzhou Wupu Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd. expressed their gratitude to all those who participated in the construction of the second phase of Hongzhuang Art, whose efforts and contributions have made the building a success.