Party and Public Center of Longnan Village by Sens Architects: Community, Culture, and Architectural Heritage in Jiaxin

The Party and Public Center of Longnan Village, designed by Sens Architects and completed in 2024, stands as a cultural and social hub in Jiaxing, China. Covering 2,000 m², this thoughtfully designed center blends historical preservation with modern community functions, providing a unique architectural intervention that celebrates the village’s rural heritage while supporting contemporary social needs. Led by architects Zhang Juntian and Sun Hongfei, the project harmonizes natural surroundings, vernacular traditions, and multifunctional spaces into a cohesive, welcoming environment.

Preserving History Amidst Nature

Longnan Village is defined by its expansive farmland, flowing rivers, and verdant trees, forming a picturesque pastoral landscape. The site of the new public center was historically home to an old house in precarious condition, accompanied by a centuries-old sycamore tree, a witness to the village’s history. Sens Architects approached the project with a deep respect for this natural and cultural context, integrating the historical building, the tree, and an existing administrative office into the design. The goal was not only to create a functional party and public center but also to preserve and celebrate Longnan Village’s identity.

Design Concept: Courtyards and Community Flow

The master plan centers around the concept of courtyards, reflecting traditional rural Chinese settlement patterns. Following the demolition of an old warehouse, half the site was rebuilt, while the remaining structures were preserved to create an inner courtyard. This courtyard serves as a public leisure space where visitors can learn about the village’s history while experiencing traditional architectural forms firsthand.

The spatial organization follows a deliberate sequence of “water courtyard, courtyard, large courtyard”, seamlessly integrating the surrounding natural environment into the building clusters. The design carefully differentiates public and private areas, ensuring functional clarity for diverse uses while maintaining a strong sense of rural cultural identity.

Bridging Old and New

A defining element of the project is its symbolic and functional bridge system. Inspired by the bridges of water towns, the design transforms the site into a multi-level experience where rivers, embankments, steps, and corridors guide visitors through the space. The "bridge" concept connects new and existing buildings, linking functional zones with courtyards at the center. This system includes external corridors, connecting passageways between clusters, and indoor corridors, all focused on managing circulation while enhancing the narrative journey through the site.

Terraces, semi-outdoor areas, and vestibules are strategically located at key intersections to create spatial transitions. Vertical circulation, including steps and ramps, is carefully designed to act as both functional nodes and experiential moments, guiding visitors from entrances to courtyards, exhibition halls, and rooftop platforms. Each movement within the center tells the story of Longnan Village, turning circulation into an immersive cultural experience.

Harmonizing Function and Culture

The Party and Public Center functions as both a community hub and a cultural museum, accommodating gatherings, exhibitions, and public leisure activities. Parking, distribution, and service areas are thoughtfully arranged to maintain accessibility without disrupting the architectural and cultural flow. The integration of traditional courtyard layouts with contemporary design elements ensures that the building respects its heritage while addressing modern needs.

Through its sensitive approach to site, history, and culture, the Party and Public Center of Longnan Village exemplifies context-driven rural architecture, creating a socially interactive and culturally rich public space. Sens Architects have successfully merged modern community infrastructure with the poetic qualities of vernacular design, offering a model for future rural cultural projects.