Red Education Base of Jiang Jie Hometown by SADI

The Red Education Base of Jiang Jie Hometown, designed by SADI, stands as a powerful cultural landmark in Zigong. Completed in 2021, this 12,374-square-meter museum and memorial complex redefines how architecture can preserve history while shaping collective memory. Rooted in the legacy of revolutionary martyr Jiang Jie, the project transforms her hometown into a symbolic and educational destination.

Cultural Context and Urban Identity

Before the project’s realization, Jiang Jie’s connection to Zigong was relatively unknown. The development of this red education base repositioned the city as her birthplace, embedding her legacy into its urban identity. Rather than relying on physical artifacts: few of which remain due to her early death: the design draws from symbolic imagery such as the “red rock,” “red plum,” and “red star,” which define her cultural and ideological significance.

Site Strategy and Landscape Integration

Located in Jiangjiawan, the site reflects the traditional spatial qualities of southern Sichuan villages: nestled between mountains, facing water bodies, and surrounded by bamboo landscapes. The masterplan spans approximately 270,000 square meters and includes the restoration of Jiang Jie’s former residence, the redesign of Red Plum Square, and the construction of a new memorial hall.

To preserve authenticity, the original residence remains largely untouched, with exhibitions relocated to the new structure. The memorial hall is strategically positioned on a lower eastern hillside, forming a symbolic axis aligned with the statue and the original home. This eastward orientation reinforces the poetic and ideological narrative of “facing the light.”

Architectural Concept: The Rising Red Rock

The architectural language is deeply rooted in landscape integration and symbolic expression. The building emerges from the terrain like a “red rock,” achieved by embedding the structure into the hillside and minimizing its visual height. This creates a layered spatial progression along the axis, enhancing the experiential journey.

The plan adopts a pentagram configuration, split at the center to create a visual corridor aligned with the site’s axis. This radial layout organizes circulation efficiently while generating a strong centripetal force that converges at the central square, a space designed for public gatherings and commemorative ceremonies.

Spatial Experience and Form Expression

The building’s sculptural quality is achieved through volumetric segmentation, producing dynamic forms and natural voids. These gaps extend vertically, allowing light to penetrate deep into the interior. The resulting interplay of light and shadow creates an emotional and immersive environment, symbolizing the journey from darkness toward hope.

Contrasts between narrow transitional spaces and expansive plazas evoke the कठिन revolutionary path and the aspirational vision of the future. Pathways integrated into sloped volumes guide visitors seamlessly across different levels, reinforcing the narrative sequence.

Materiality and Construction Innovation

The exterior is clad in GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) panels, carefully textured to evoke the rugged essence of red rock. Prefabrication techniques were employed to ensure precision, reduce construction time, and maintain consistency in surface quality.

A Living Memorial

Since its completion, the project has become a vibrant center for remembrance and education. Designed not only as a static monument but as an ակտիվ public space, it continuously hosts commemorative events and cultural activities. The architecture successfully translates ideological symbolism into spatial experience, creating a meaningful dialogue between history, landscape, and contemporary design.

All photographs are works of  404NF STUDIO