Porcelain Factory Plugin Revival by Liu Kecheng Design Studio & People's Architecture Office

The Porcelain Factory Plugin Revival is an exemplary architectural intervention that rejuvenates a historic porcelain factory in Jingdezhen, China's renowned “Porcelain Capital.” This project, led by Liu Kecheng Design Studio in collaboration with People's Architecture Office, employs a unique Plugin Architecture approach to seamlessly integrate contemporary design within a rich historical context.

Jingdezhen’s porcelain heritage spans over a millennium, and this revitalization project carefully balances historical preservation with modern functionality. The Plugin Architecture method strategically inserts new architectural modules both within and adjacent to existing structures, respecting the site’s original fabric while introducing versatile, contemporary spaces.

Contemporary Landmark Within Historic Context

The centerpiece of the project is a striking three-story glass building crowned with a double-pitched clay-tiled roof. Serving as a vibrant exhibition space and café, the building anchors the main public square while fostering a dialogue between old and new. The transparency of the glass enclosure offers openness and visual connection to the surroundings, while the traditional clay-tiled roof floats above, linking the contemporary volume to Jingdezhen’s historic rooftops.

The brick-paved courtyard seamlessly extends from the exterior into the building’s interior, enhancing continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces. Carefully articulated steps serve as both circulation and public seating, accommodating elevation changes while connecting the public square and courtyard. From a distance, the roof emerges gracefully among surrounding clay-tiled rooftops, creating a compelling visual dialogue with historic architecture.

Revitalizing Historic Porcelain Workshops

Adjacent to the glass building, existing wood and brick porcelain workshops have been revitalized using the Plugin Architecture approach. New architectural insertions upgrade these historic structures to contemporary standards while maintaining their traditional character. The interventions include insulated sleeping quarters, office and meeting rooms, and modular kitchen and bathroom units, all connected by thoughtfully designed stairs and walkways.

One significant reconfiguration involved rotating a building to unify two original courtyards, enhancing public access and connecting the square with interior spaces. The courtyard retains the rich textural diversity of traditional timber-framed, brick, and concrete structures while introducing a new public-oriented spatial logic. The arrangement of the café, restaurant, and ceramic artist studio across different zones fosters an integrated community hub for cultural and social engagement.

Harmonizing Old and New

The design approach prioritizes historical continuity and spatial harmony. Barrel-vaulted brick rooms at the building’s base root the structure in its historic context, while a third-floor balcony visually links the composition to a preserved factory chimney. By filling gaps between old buildings and introducing distinct yet integrated modules, the project achieves a dynamic blend of heritage and modernity, creating a landmark that respects Jingdezhen’s rich ceramic history.

All photographs are works of Yumeng Zhu, PAO